Pinarayi Vijayan turns 80: Leaders extend wishes amid low-key celebrations

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan turned 80 on Saturday, amid celebrations marking the fourth anniversary of the LDF’s second consecutive term in power in the state.

Now in his tenth year as Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan holds the distinction of being the second longest-serving CM in Kerala's history.

Although official records list his birth date as March 21, 1945, it was later revealed that he was actually born on May 24, 1945—just a day before he was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 25, 2016.

Wishes continue to pour in from comrades and well-wishers across the political spectrum, as Pinarayi remains a towering figure in India’s Communist movement.

His wife is Kamala Vijayan. The couple has two children: Veena Vijayan and Vivek Kiran Vijayan.

His son-in-law, P. A. Mohammed Riyas, currently serves as the Minister for Public Works and Tourism in Pinarayi's cabinet.

Illustrious Journey

Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s longest-serving Chief Minister, was born on May 24, 1945, to Mundayil Koran and Kalyani. After completing his early education at local schools, he worked briefly as a handloom weaver before pursuing higher education at Government Brennen College, Thalassery, studying Economics.

His political journey began in college through the Kerala Students Federation (KSF), later becoming president of both KSF and the Kerala State Youth Federation (KSYF). Vijayan joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1964 and rose steadily through ranks. He was elected to the CPI(M)’s Kannur district committee in 1968 and became its district secretary in 1986. He joined the CPI(M) state secretariat in 1988, served as the Kerala state secretary from 1998 to 2015, and has been a member of the Polit Bureau since 2002.

Vijayan played a key role in several protests and social movements. As a young leader, he defended workers of the Dinesh Co-operative Society against violent attacks and worked to ease communal tensions during the 1971 Thalassery riots. He also endured police brutality during the Emergency and famously spoke in the Assembly, showcasing his bloodstained shirt as a symbol of resistance.

Electorally, Vijayan first won from Koothuparamba in 1970 and secured successive victories in 1977 and 1991. He shifted to Payyannur in 1996, winning by a significant margin and later serving as Minister for Electricity and Cooperation. He returned to the Assembly in 2016 from Dharmadom, became Chief Minister, and was re-elected in 2021 with a larger majority.

As Minister and later as CM, Vijayan brought major advancements in Kerala's power sector and cooperative movement. His leadership during crises like floods, the Nipah virus outbreak, and the COVID-19 pandemic was widely praised. He played a central role in Kerala's development, social welfare expansion, and infrastructure growth.

Under his leadership, the Left Democratic Front achieved historic consecutive victories in the 2016 and 2021 elections, cementing Vijayan's legacy as a decisive, people-centric leader who reshaped modern Kerala through resilience, vision, and commitment to progressive governance.

Meanwhile, Kerala CM’s cabinet colleagues including P Rajeeve, V Sivankutty, P A Mohammed Riyas posted photos of Vijayan on their social media handles.

In his FB page, Riyas, also his son-in-law, described Vijayan as a symbol of truth, virtue and determination.

Steadfast Leadership

In a grand finale that coincided with his birthday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan marked the fourth anniversary of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government with a strong address, highlighting the administration’s achievements and sharply criticising the Central government for alleged neglect during major crises.

Speaking at a public event, Vijayan said the LDF was now entering its tenth year in power, having made “significant progress across all sectors” since taking office in 2016. He cited major improvements in education, with Kerala topping the NITI Aayog index due to focused investment and reforms. The state spent ₹5,000 crore to upgrade schools and reverse student dropout trends through its Public Education Protection Campaign.

In healthcare, the CM noted that the LDF revived a declining system through the 'Arogya Keralam' mission, which later demonstrated its effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also emphasised infrastructure developments, particularly the resolution of long-standing roadblocks with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), for which the state invested ₹5,600 crore in land acquisition.

Vijayan attacked the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing them of mismanagement before 2016, including plans to close 1,000 schools and failure in infrastructure development.

A significant part of his speech targeted the BJP-led Central government, accusing it of political discrimination during the 2018 floods and the pandemic. He criticised the Centre for blocking international aid and offering inadequate support. He also accused the Congress-led UDF of siding with the Centre, even opposing state efforts like voluntary salary contributions for flood relief.

Vijayan concluded by asserting that Kerala’s transformation under the LDF is widely recognised and embraced by the public, as reflected in the large turnout for the anniversary roadshow. He positioned the state as a model of resilience and progress, despite political and natural challenges.

Pinarayi continues to lead his party and the LDF party with staunch determination as the turbulent political landscape in Kerala continues to undergo traversing changes. (With inputs from Agencies)