HOMAGE

KERALA NIYAMASABHA

PAYS HOMAGE TO

P.K.VASUDEVAN NAIR

        Shri. Padayattu Kesava Pillai Vasudevan Nair popularly known as PKV, personifies probity as well as purity in public life. Born on March 2, 1926, at Kidangoor in Kottayam District to Shri. V.M. Kesava Pillai and Smt Nanikutty Amma, Shri. P.K. Vasudevan Nair who pursued the Communist ideology relentlessly, brings with him a long political service that spans more than half a century. He was the Chief Minister of the state from October 29, 1978 to October 7, 1979.

        Shri. P.K. Vasudevan Nair entered politics during his student days. He has been a member of the Communist Party of India since 1945. While studying , he was the president of Travancore Students Union in 1947. He was elected as President of All Kerala Students Federation in 1948. After graduation in Physics, he came to Thiruvananthapuram and joined Government Law College. By that time he was so deeply involved in politics that he gave up his law studies to venture into the political arena. Soon he became a youth leader of national and international repute. He was President of Kerala Youth Federation and was the founder President of All India Youth federation (AIYF). He also served as the Vice- President of World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY).

        Owing to his deep involvement and commitment towards the political organization, he took part in the underground activity of the party during 1948-51. He was arrested in 1951 in connection with a student struggle. He had also undergone prison life in New Delhi in connection with an agitation against price hike. He continued in the CPI after the split in 1964 and held prominent positions in the party including the post of General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI)

        A veteran parliamentarian, Shri. PKV has been elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly twice and Lok Sabha four times. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Alleppey in 1977 as well as in 1980. He served as the Minister for Industries in the cabinet of both Shri. K. Karunakaran and Shri. A.K. Antony during the period from April 1977 to October 1978. He succeeded Shri. A.K. Antony as the Chief Minister of Kerala on October 29, 1978. However, he resigned on October 7, 1979 in order to create a favourable atmosphere, for the formation of a Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala. While being a member in the KLA, he was the Chairman, Committee of Privileges from 1978 to 1979 and Chairman of PUC during 1980-82.

        Shri. PKV was elected to LokSabha from Thiruvalla in 1957, from Ambalappuzha in 1962 and from Peerumedu in 1967. He had come to the election fray again in 2004 and had been elected to the 14th LokSabha from Thiruvananthapuram with a considerable majority, for a fourth term. Previously he was also in the panel of Chairmen, LokSabha during 1967-70. He was Secretary, CPI Parliamentary party in LokSabha for a long period from 1957 to 1970. He has served in a number of important Committees of Parliament as well. He was also the leader of CPI in Parliament and had chaired the Committee of Labour during 2004-05. Widely admired as an efficient organiser, PKV apart from being a political leader, has participated in various social and cultural activities. He was at the helm of affairs of some widely known cultural organizations and institutions like KPAC. He served as the President of the prestigious Vayalar Ramavarma Trust. He has left an indelible mark in the field of journalism as Editor of ‘Janayugom ‘ daily during 1954-57. He has published a number of books on political issues and has also authored a biographical work. He had also served as the Editor of ‘Navayugom’ political weekly of CPI, Kerala State Council.

        Smt. Lekshmikutty Amma is his wife and they have 3 sons and 2 daughters.Shri. P.K. Vasudevan Nair passed away on July 12, 2005.

The Assembly paid its homage to him on July 15, 2005