Biography of  E.K. Nayanar

(December 19, 1919 - 19 May 2004)

The Marxist leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, E.K. Nayanar was born on December 19, 1919, at Kallassery in Kannur. He is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Kerala. E.K. Nayanar joined politics in 1939 as a member of the Communist Party. After that, he devoted himself to organising agricultural and industrial workers. In Kayyur and Morazha's revolts, he played a significant role. In 1940, he was arrested by the government in charge of taking part in the agitation of Aron Mill Workers. During the emergency, he was again arrested and sent to jail. E.K. Nayanar's valuable 11 years of his life were spent in jail for various reasons.

In 1967, he contested Lok Sabha elections and was elected from Palakkad. On the other hand, he became a member of the Kerala assembly six times. From 1972 to 1980, he served as CPI (M) Central Committee Member. He was thrice chosen the Chief Minister of Kerala. His last chief ministerial tenure was from 1996 to 2001. He passed away on May 19, 2004.