K. P. Gopalan

K. P. Gopalan (1908-1977) was a Communist Party of India politician, minister, freedom fighter and a trade unionist from Kerala, India. He was first elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952. During his term as a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, he was appointed the first Minister for Industries and Community Development of the state.

Biography K. P. Gopalan was born in 1908, in Puthiyaparamba in present-day Kannur district of Kerala. His parents were Mankil Kannan and Kotiyath Kalyani. He was educated at Chirakkal Rajas High School and Kannur Municipal High School.

He died on April 20, 1977. Gopalan presided over the Parappuram Conference. During his political career, he spent more than 16 years in prison.

Gopalan had been active in the trade union movement since 1935. He along with Pamban Madhavan tried to organize the weavers in Kannur but failed. After that he actively participated in the Farook workers' strike along with P. Krishnapillai. As a trade unionist He also held several positions including president of Kerala Trade Union Congress and vice president of All India Motor Workers' Union.

After independence he was elected member of the Madras Legislative Assembly from Payyannur constituency, in 1952 general elections and served as the Deputy Leader of Opposition in that Assembly.