T. V. Thomas

T. V. Thomas Biography

T. V. Thomas was an Indian politician from Kerala, belonging to Communist Party of India. He hailed from Alappuzha, Kerala. One of the prominent politicians in the newly formed Kerala state, he served as the Minister for Labour and Transport in the first E. M. S. Namboodiripad ministry. He served on chair during the period, April 5, 1957 to July 31, 1959. In the second state ministry of EMS, he served as Minister for Industries during March 6, 1967 to October 21, 1969. He continued the post of Minister for Industries in the Council of Ministers (1970–77) of Legislative Assembly, Kerala state, better known as C. Achutha Menon ministry - second term. He held the post of industries minister during September 25, 1971 to March 25, 1977 till his death, thus serving one of the longest terms in this portfolio.

T. V. Thomas was born on July 2, 1910 in Alappuzha of Travancore Kingdom, British India. He entered politics through Travancore State Congress. He also served as State Committee Member. When Communist party of India stormed into Kerala in the 1940s, he joined the party, and hence one of the prominent leaders of first generation communist party in Kerala state as well as Union trade members. In the pre-independent era he was also associated with freedom struggle movement.

As one of the first generation trade union leaders in Kerala, he played a prominent role in shaping the trade unions in Kerala as well as organizing them. He also stood for workers and labourers and their rights for better causes. He was also instrumental in organising coir workers and farmers in his hometown Alapuzha, one of the large sectors of small-scale industries in the state. He also associated with Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, and many other revolts for basic workers’ rights.

During 1954-1956, just before the formation of Kerala state, he served as Opposition Leader in the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly. When Communist Party formed government in Kerala at different points of time, he was associated with it as a cabinet minister throughout 1950s and 1970s, and for a short term in 1960s, till his death on March 3, 1977.

Published: September 18, 2018

Updated: September 18, 2018