C. N. Balakrishnan

C. N. Balakrishnan Biography

C. N. Balakrishnan is an Indian politician and former state minister from Kerala. He is a senior leader of Indian National Congress and quite a popular figure within state politics. He served as the minister for Co-operation, Khadi and Village Industries and Pollution Control in the previous Oommen Chandy Ministry. He was elected to legislative assembly from Wadakkanchery constituency in 2011, and induced to the Congress cabinet. Balakrishnan is also known for his social activities within the state, and fondly addressed as C. N. B. He was close to K. Karunakaran, the senior Congress leader.

C. N. B. hails from Puzhakkal in the outskirts of Thrissur main town, Kerala. Narayanan Ezhuthachan and Paruamma are his parents. He was born on 18 November 1934. He did his school from Sree Ramakrishnasramam School, Puranattukara and started his life as a Khadi worker. He is married to Thankamany teacher, and has two daughters, C B Geetha & Mini Balram. His daughter Geetha is a well-known politician. Balakrishnan is a strong leader in Cooperative unions, and has closely worked with K. Karunakaran for 50 years, as former CM was a native of Thrissur main town.

During his early days he closely worked with Cooperative unions, and has been instrumental in starting many initiatives. He started fishermen union, and remained a leader of Thrissur milk supply union, Puranattukara service cooperative union etc. He later became the vice-president and president of district cooperative bank.

Initially he worked as a librarian of Puzhakkal library, before joining politics. He turned an influential leader among local people and workers and since past 30 years he gives leadership to Indian National Congress Party in Thrissur. He contested state assembly elections for the first time at the age of 75 representing Wadakkanchery constituency in Kerala assembly election 2011, and defeated N. R. Balan of CPIM with 6685 votes.

Published: November 25, 2018

Updated: November 25, 2018