K. Karunakaran born July 5, 1918. For most part of his political career, he has been with Indian National Congress. He is a former Chief Minister of Kerala, Home minister of Government of Kerala, and Minister for Industries of Government of India. He is affectionately called “Leader” by Congress activists.

Milestones in his life

1918
Shri. K.Karunakaran was born on July 5, 1918 at Chirackkal in Kannur District to Shri.Thekkedathu Ravunni Marar and Smt. Kannoth Kalyani Amma with birth star “Karthika”.

1923
Sri K Karunakaran started his Primary education in Vadakara LP School.At the time of joining school he insisted his name to be Karunakaran from Karunakara Marar which showed his rebel mind towards caste discrimination. 85+ year old register book is preserved in Andallur Senior basic School in which his name is visible.

1927
From Vadakara L.P School, He continued his Education in Raja’s U.P School.

1929
At the age of 11, Karunakaran got a chance to meet Mahathma Gandhi. He met Gandhi in Edakkad railway station.

1933
He took a liking to arts and drawing in 8th standard and ended up joining MTI Thrissur with an intention of obtaining a diploma in drawing (Chitra rachana).

1937
He started off as an activist in the Kochi Rajya Praja Mandalam in 1937 and later entered electoral politics as member of the Thrissur Municipal Council from 1945 - 1947. He got the Membership of Kochi Rajya Praja Mandalam from Sri. V.R. Krishnan Ezhuthachan.

1941
Karunakaran started his political life in Kochi Rajya Praja Mandalam and become an active memeber during the year 1941.

1942
In August 1942, he become a part of the “Quit India” Freedom movement and becomes an active member of the Feeedom movement of India.

1945
In the year 1945, before India got freedom, he got his first election winning. The name ‘Leader’ was fist called by Mr. P.D. Kuriyappan

1947
India got indipendence as a result of freedom struggle by many of our greate leaders.

1948
Won Ollukkara Election booth with complete 1314 votes first time in the History

1948
Won Election to Cochin Legislative Assembly.

1952 – 1953
Chief whip of Congress Legislature Party.

1954
Keeping to the tradition of the time, he married his uncle’s daughter Smt. Kalyanikutty amma in 1954 at the Guruvayur temple.

1949,1952,1954
In the Years - 1949,1952,1954, He got elected to Travancore –Cochin Legislative Assembly.

1956
Formation of Kerala.

1957
Indian Delegation to I.L.O. Conference.

1965-95
Member, Kerala Legislative Assembly (Seven Terms)

1968-70
Chairman of the committee on Public Accounts.

1967-1969
Leader of the Opposition Kerala Legislative Assembly (Four Times)
1967-69, 1978, 1980-81 and 1987-91

1970
Founder of UDF.

1971 – 1977
Cabinet Minister, Home Affairs, Kerala.

1977,81,82-87,1991-95
Chief Minister, Kerala (Four Terms)
1977,81,82-87,1991-95

1980
M.L.A - 5th time elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly

1981
Chief Minister, Kerala (Second Time)
He took charge as Chief Minister again on December 28, 1981.

1982
M.L.A - 6th time elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly

1987
Chairman, Committee on Socio-economic Policies, All India Congress Committee (A.I.C.C.)

1988
In 1988 July 5th, he Celebrated his Sapthathi - 70th Birthday

1991
Elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly

1993
March 25, His Soul mate, passed away.

1995 – 1996
Union Cabinet Minister - Industries.

1995-98
Member of Parliament

2005
DIC(K) was founded at a meeting in Thrissur by the K. Karunakuran fraction of the Indian National Congress on May 1, 2005. Initially it was called National Congress (Indira), but the name was changed DIC(K) for registration purposes in August same year.

2009
K. Karunakaran is likely to be made governor of a southern state and hundreds of people including party workers, well-wishers, political leaders and prominent social and cultural personalities turned up to wish veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran on his 91th birthday.

Family

Keeping to the tradition of the time, he married his uncle’s daughter Kalyanikutty Amma in 1954 at the Guruvayur temple. If there is a woman behind the success of every man, it is true also of our leader whose wife continuously supported him besides taking care of the household affairs as well as raising two children.

But on 1993 March 25, he lost his better half. From that day onwards he becomes a pure vegetarian. Also he had given her name to his house in Trivandrum.

The son, K Muraleedharan, former KPCC President and former Minister for Electricity is now the President of the Democratic Indira Congress. He was also be a Member of Parliment in the years 1989, 1991 and 1999 from Calicut by representing Indian National Congress

Married to : Jyothi . Children : 1) Arunnath 2) Sabarinath

The daughter, Padmaja Venugopal was Chairperson of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Married to Mr. Venugopal. Children : 1) Aiswarya 2) Karun