E. K. Imbichi Bava

Ezhu Kudikkal Imbichi Bava (1917–1995) was an Indian politician and a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from the municipality of Ponnani. He was member of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, both the houses of Parliament.

Early life

Bava was born on 20 July 1917 to Abdullah at Ezhukudickal in Ponnani.

Political career He began to work for public causes while still a student. Slowly attracted towards leftist thoughts, he started his political career with the Congress Socialist Party and subsequently with the Communist Party since 1940. He later became involved in the nationalist movement and played a role in establishing the "Labour Movements" and Communist Party in the state of Kerala.

He participated in the Calcutta Congress of the Communist Party of India held in 1948 representing the members from Malabar.

Post-independence (1947–1995) He is one of the major leaders in CPI(M) in Kerala. Imbichi Bava was a member of the National Council of the Communist Party of India before it split in 1964. He was one of the founders of CPI(M). He has undergone prison terms and gone underground many times in connection with his party work. He was a member of the CPI(M) State Committee; District Secretary, CPI Palakkad, CPI(M) Malappuram;District President, CITU Malappuram; Member, All India Working Committee CITU.

He was elected to the 3rd Kerala Legislative Assembly from Mannarghat constituency as a CPI (M) candidate. He was the Minister of Transport in the ministry led by E. M. S. Namboodiripad from 6 March 1967 to 1 November 1969. After a gap, he was elected to the 9th Kerala Legislative Assembly from Ponnani constituency in 1991.

Imbichi Bava had been a Member of both the Houses of Parliament as well previously. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1954. He was elected twice to the Lok Sabha. In 1962, he was elected to the 3rd Lok Sabha from Ponnani constituency as a Communist Party of India candidate. In 1980, he was elected to the 7th Lok Sabha from Calicut constituency as a Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate.

He died on 11 April 1995 while serving as a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Personal life

He married Fathima Imbichi Bava (former Ponnani Municipality Chairperson, teacher and activist) and they had 4 sons and a daughter. They are Rasool Salam, his eldest son, Zeenath, Khaleel, Jaleel and Musthaqu.