Elappara
K. Radhakrishnan
K. Radhakrishnan (born 24 May 1964) is an Indian politician, who is currently serving as Devaswam & welfare of backward class minister in second Pinarayi Vijayan ministry and central committee member of the CPI(M). He was a former Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2006 to 2011. He is a politician from Thrissur and also served as the Minister of SC / ST Affairs and Youth Affairs in the third E. K. Nayanar ministry from 1996 to 2001. He was elected from Chelakkara constituency. He served as the MLA of Chelakkara from 1996 to 2016.
Early life
He was born on 24 May 1964 in pullikkanam Vagamon Idukki. His parents are M. C. Kochunni and Chinamma. His father was a plantation worker, who hailed from Chelakkara in Thrissur district. He completed his primary education in Thonnurkara UP School. He completed his high school education at Chelakkara SMTGHS. Radhakrishnan went for higher studies in Sri Vyasa NSS College, Wadakkacherry and Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur and while doing his B.A graduation, he entered into political activities.
Political life
He was an active member in SFI, holding posts like unit secretary of Kerala Varma college, Chelakkara area secretary, and member of Thrissur district secretariat as an SFI leader. He also worked as Chelakkara Block Committee secretary and state committee member of DYFI, and he is now CPI(M) central committee member. Radhakrishnan was elected to the Thrissur District Council in 1991 from the Vallathol Nagar division. He was elected to the Assembly in 1996, 2001 and 2006. He served as Minister for the Welfare of Backward and Scheduled Communities and Youth Affairs from 1996 to 2001. He was Opposition Chief Whip from 2001 to 2006.
Leading student's agitations against the Education Policy of the Government during 1982–87, he was arrested and tortured by the police. Radhakrishnan vigorously involved himself in the problems of Agricultural laborers and organized them. He also participated in the activities of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad and Total Literacy Movement.
K. Radhakrishnan was the 18th Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Radhakrishnan was elected Speaker by 93 votes to 40 secured by the Opposition United Front (UDF) candidate M. Murali of the Congress. He completed his term as speaker, the second speaker to do so after M. Vijayakumar, who was incidentally the Minister of Law & Sports during his term as speaker. After quitting the office, he served as MLA for five more years, and left office in 2016. He was succeeded by his colleague U. R. Pradeep.
