T. V. Thomas

Shri. T. V. Thomas (2 July 1910 - 26 March 1977) was a veteran Communist leader, popularly called T.V. by those around him. As many of his generation, Shri. T.V. was also drawn into the fold of politics, as a student, participating in the freedom struggle, and the agitation against Diwan rule in Travancore. A champion for the cause of the working class and the downtrodden, Shri. T.V. was always in the forefront of agitations for fair deal and justice. Many believed that he was the ideal choice for the first Chief Minister of Kerala as he was the Opposition Leader in Thiru-Kochi Legislative assembly and also considering his leadership role in many agitations including Punnapra- Vayalar, which gave acceptance to Communist Party to the masses.

Career

He was instrumental in organising farmers and labourers movements and was also a leading figure in the Punnapra Vayalar struggle. Shri. T.V. Thomas had previously been elected to the Travancore - Cochin Legislative Assembly too in 1952, and had served as the Leader of Opposition from 1954 to 1956 in that Assembly. In the first ever elections held to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1957, T.V. Thomas got elected from Alleppey as a candidate of the Communist Party. In that first EMS Ministry, Shri. Thomas was the Minister for Labour and Transport, and he held that portfolio from 5.4.1957 to 31.7.1959. When the Communist Party split, T.V. chose to remain with the CPI.

Later life

In the 3rd and 4th KLA too, Shri T.V. Thomas subsequently became elected, from Alleppey itself. In the 4th ministry headed by EMS, he handled the portfolio of Industries during the period from 6.3.67 to 21.10.69. Later on, in the Achutha Menon Ministry, T.V. Thomas was the Minister for Industries from 25.9.71 to 25.3.77. As the Minister for Industries, Sri. T.V. Thomas also took the initiative to give impetus for the Industrialisation of the state and encourage new entrepreneurs to achieve this objective. The veteran leader, Smt.K.R. Gouri Amma, veteran Communist leader and former Minister, is his wife. Shri. T.V. Thomas died on 26.3.1977 at the age of 67.

References

T.V.Thomas http://www.stateofkerala.in/niyamasabha/t%20v%20thomas.php
K.R.Gowri Amma http://www.firstministry.kerala.gov.in/mla/k_r_gouri.htm