Ramesh Chennithala

Ramesh Chennithala (born 25 May 1956) is an Indian politician in the state of Kerala who is currently serving as the Minister for Home Affairs, Vigilance, and Coir industry. He is a permanent invitee to the Working Committee of the Indian National Congress. He was previously the Cabinet minister for Home and Vigilance in the second Oommen Chandy ministry 13th Kerala Legislative Assembly and Leader of the Opposition in the 14th Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Early life Ramesh Chennithala was born at Chennithala in the Alappuzha district of Kerala to V. Ramakrishnan Nair and Devakiamma. He studied at Mahatma High School in Chennithala. He then completed his B.A. degree in Economics from NSS Hindu College, Changanassery. Later, he did his LL.B. from the Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Ramesh is married to Anitha. The couple have two sons: Rohit Chennithala, who is a Physician, and Ramit Chennithala, who cleared Civil Services Examination with the 210th rank and serves in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). Sreeja Bhasi and Junita John are his daughters-in-law.

Political career

Ramesh started his political life during his early school days. In 1970, he became the Kerala Students Union (KSU) Chennithala HS Unit Secretary. He subsequently held a series of positions in KSU, namely Mavelikkara Taluk General Secretary in 1971, KSU Alappuzha District Treasurer in 1972, Alappuzha District Secretary in 1973, KSU State Executive Member in 1975, KSU State Vice President in 1978, and eventually becoming the KSU State President in 1980.

In 1982, he became All India President of the National Students Union of India and later in the same year was elected as MLA from Haripad Constituency. In 1985, he became the General Secretary of Indian Youth Congress and went on to become the youngest Minister (Rural Development) in the Ministry of K. Karunakaran in 1986 at the age of 28. In 1999, he became Member of Parliament from Mavelikkara Parliamentary Constituency. In 2004 loksabha elections he was defeated by CPI(M) leader Adv. C.S. Sujatha.

Later in 1991, 1996, and 1999 he was re-elected to Parliament. His "Operation Kubera" project was intended to stop the reign of illegal money lenders in the state.

He shared the dais with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a joint anti-CAA protest organised by the ruling CPM-led LDF to express his views on the CAA. Leader of the opposition Ramesh said he has moved a petition challenging the Act which drew criticism from the then-KPCC President Mullappally Ramachandran. However, KPCC vice-president V. D. Satheesan, stated that the protest against CAA and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) was "a fight for a common cause".

In the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, the Indian National Congress led UDF alliance made a massive comeback with a thumping victory and he won his seat again. In the aftermath, he assumed office as the Minister of Home Affairs, Vigilance and Coir in the ministry headed by Chief Minister V D Satheesan. He launched the Operation Toofan aimed at having a massive complete crackdown against drug peddlers in the state and this move was greatly appreciated by the public. This operation is currently going on in full progress by the Kerala Police and with full cooperation and support from the general public. Electoral performance

Ministries Ramesh Chennithala holds the record of being the youngest minister in the state at the age of 28. Under his leadership the UDF emerged victorious in 2019 Indian general election by winning 19 out of 20 seats in Kerala. This was their biggest victory in the elections after the 1977 election. It was under his leadership UDF faced such a defeat in 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election and LDF retained power by breaking the four-decade alternative rule trend between Left Democratic Front (Kerala) and United Democratic Front (Kerala).

Actions taken

Ramesh Chennithala approached the Anti-Corruption Court against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Excise Minister T. P. Ramakrishnan for revising the liquor policy in the state. However, the Supreme Court exempted gram panchayat areas having an urban nature from liquor prohibition, leading to the reopening of all shut outlets. Following this, Ramesh argued that the government was misinterpreting the SC verdict.

Awards

He received the P. V. Sankaranarayanan Memorial Award in 2014.