M. B. Rajesh

M. B. Rajesh (born 12 March 1971) is an Indian politician who served as the Minister for Local Self-Governments and Excise of Kerala, from 2022 to 2026 and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, from 2024 to 2026. He previously served as the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2021 to 2022 and previously represented Thrithala State Assembly Constituency in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2021 to 2026. He was previously a Member of the Lok Sabha representing Palakkad Lok Sabha Constituency from 2009 to 2019.

Life Rajesh was born in Jalandhar, Punjab on 12 March 1971 as the eldest son of Balakrishnan Nair and M. K. Remani. A native of Kayiliad, Chalavara, Shornur in Palakkad, Rajesh graduated in law from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram and post-graduated in economics from NSS College, Ottapalam. By profession, he is an advocate. Rajesh is married to Ninitha Kanicheri, who is an assistant professor at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.

Political career Rajesh started his political life while he was a school student by organizing the Students' Federation of India at the school level. Later he became the President and then Secretary of SFI Kerala State Committee. He also held positions including the Joint Secretary and Vice President of SFI Central Committee. After his student life, he was active in the DYFI where he became the National President. Rajesh was elected MLA in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly and was elected to role of speaker of the assembly from 2021 to 2022 and later served as the Minister for Local Self Government, Parliamentary Affairs and Excise for the Government of Kerala from 2022 till 2026. Rajesh is now a member of the Kerala state committee of CPI(M). He was defeated by V. T. Balram of the Indian National Congress in the 2026 assembly elections in Thrithala legislative constituency in Palakkad district with a margin of 8,385 votes.

Controversies In February 2021, the appointment of M. B. Rajesh's wife, R. Ninitha Kanicheri, as Assistant Professor in the Department of Malayalam at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit became the subject of controversy.

Publications The books published by Rajesh include "History Will Impeach Them" (Charithram Avare Kuttakarennu Vilikkum) collection of articles on education, published in Malayalam, 2002 "Agolavatkaranathinate Virudha Lokangal" (Contradictory Worlds of Globalisation) collection of articles in Malayalam on globalisation, 2008; "Agola Sampathika Prathisandhiyude Manangal", Compilation of articles on Global Recession, 2008, Malayalam