Palakkad’s double delight in Cabinet; First woman minister; first-ever League representative too

Palakkad: The UDF Cabinet announcement has brought a double achievement for Palakkad district. After V Eecharan, K Sankaranarayanan and CM Sundaram, KA Thulasi and N Samsudheen are set to represent Palakkad in a UDF ministry. Unlike the previous UDF government led by Oommen Chandy, which had no ministers from the district, Palakkad now gets two representatives in the Cabinet.

This is also the first time that a Muslim League representative from Palakkad district has become a minister. KA Thulasi, meanwhile, becomes the first-ever woman minister from the district.

In the 1970 C Achutha Menon ministry, V Eecharan — elected from Thrithala — handled the Harijan Welfare and Social Development portfolios.

In 1977, under K Karunakaran and later AK Antony, K Sankaranarayanan served as Agriculture Minister. In 1981, CM Sundaram, who won from Palakkad, became Local Self-Government Minister in the Karunakaran ministry and continued as minister from 1982 to 1987.

In the 2001 AK Antony ministry, K Sankaranarayanan handled the Finance and Excise portfolios. However, in the 2011 Oommen Chandy ministry, Palakkad had no Cabinet representation.

Palakkad’s daughter-in-law

KA Thulasi, a native of South Kondazhy in Thrissur district, is considered Palakkad’s daughter-in-law. She is married to MP VK Sreekandan. The couple are among the rare husband-wife combinations serving as elected representatives in Congress politics.

Thulasi has maintained close ties with students through her career as a History lecturer and acting principal at Nenmara NSS College.

Kongad, the only constituency in the state where three women candidates contested, delivered a historic victory for Thulasi. Though she had contested elections before, this is her first win to the Assembly. Party workers believe her ministerial role will benefit backward regions in Palakkad such as Attappady and Parambikulam.

VT Balram, who regained Thrithala this time after losing it previously, was also considered for the Cabinet, but was dropped at the last minute. This is Balram’s third term representing Thrithala.

Samsudheen, who understands Mannarkkad

Though originally from Malappuram, N Samsudheen has built a strong connection with Mannarkkad. This time, he won from the constituency — which includes the Attappady region — with the highest-ever majority in its history.

Beginning his political career through the MSF, Samsudheen later emerged as a prominent figure in parliamentary politics. He currently serves as the Muslim League’s state secretary and a member of its national working committee.

Known for his calm and non-confrontational approach even amid controversies, Samsudheen’s ministerial berth is being seen as recognition of his merit. Party leadership reportedly wanted a soft-spoken and balanced representative to handle the Education portfolio, which led to his selection.

This election also marked his fourth consecutive victory and his biggest-ever majority in the constituency. Known for his well-researched interventions in the Assembly, Samsudheen has previously won the KK Nair Memorial Award for best legislative performance.