Born on July 5, 1918 at Chirackal in Kannur to Kannoth Ramunni Marar and Kannoth Kalyani Marasiyar, he studied in Raja's High School and did his diploma in Design, Geometry and Painting from College of Arts, Thrissur, which became his political Karma bhoomi, with Mala his political constituency. He joined the Freedom Struggle at a very young age and was one of the founders of the Indian National Trade Union Congress in Kerala. He began his electoral innings as a member of the Cochin Legislative Assembly in 1948. He also represented the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly in 1949, 1952 and 1954. He was Home Minister in the C Achutha Menon Ministry from 1971-77. He took over as Chief Minister in 1977, but had to resign a month later following an adverse court reference in the infamous Rajan case. He came back into reckoning in 1982, when he patched up with his arch rival A K Antony to begin his second term.
Mr. Karunakaran was a staunch supporter of the Nehru-Gandhi family and drew his political strength from his close association with Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. His daughter, Padmaja Venugopal is currently an executive committee member of the KPCC, while his son, K Muraleedharan is a former KPCC president who quit the party and has been knocking on the Congress door for a re-entry.
As far as the Congress party in Kerala is concerned, Mr. Karunakaran built it up from scratch, navigating it through the various national level splits that the party went through.
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Leaders express grief at Karunakaran's death
Governor R.S. Gavai said here on Wednesday that the country and the State would always remember the contributions of the former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, who was an illustrious freedom fighter and one of the senior-most leaders of the Congress.
In his condolence message, the Governor said Karunakaran was responsive to the aspirations of people and his tenure as Chief Minister was marked by many reforms of far-reaching impact. “In his demise, I have lost a long-term associate of mine, who has always been considerate towards me,” he said.
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, in his condolence message, said Mr. Karunakaran played a major role in the political growth of the Congress in Kerala. He also played an important role in the development of the State. He was one of the most democratic leaders in the State. He had a special ability to directly communicate with people. His political tactics and strategies were part of political history.
The Ministers also condoled the death of the former Chief Minister.
Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said the secret of Karunakaran's success was his hard work and practical positions. He spent a large portion of his life in an open fight against communism, besides providing strength to democratic coalitions. He was responsible for the growth of the Congress, reviving its fortunes from the worst situation. He was a staunch democrat and an uncompromisingly secular leader, earning the confidence of all sections of people.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said his obligation to the veteran leader for his contribution to his own political career could never be returned. No other leader had left such a mark as an organiser and administrator reaching out to the poor and weaker sections of society. He was instrumental in ushering in a new generation of leaders like him.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who arrived here late in the evening, said the various development projects initiated by Mr. Karunakaran would prove to be memorials that would preserve memories about his contributions to the State. His amazing political leadership and charismatic personality, coupled with hard work and organisational skills, helped rebuild the Congress from scratch.
K. Karunakaran's death is an irreparable loss to the Congress, Union Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said in a message here on Thursday.
“I am happy that I was instrumental in bringing him back to the Congress fold, along with A.K. Antony, after he chose to quit the party. He had spent his life serving the Congress. He scaled peaks of success by sheer hard work and determination,” Mr. Mullappally said. His life is a long story of hard-fought battles, he added.
Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, in his message, said “Sri Karunakaran was a one-man institution who dominated the politics of Kerala for nearly four decades.
He was an organisation man who almost single-handedly built the party from the scratch and led it in good times and bad. Till his last, he maintained contacts with grassroots workers.
“Sri Karunakaran was instrumental in the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala. As the convener of the front for 16 years, I have seen the sagacious manner in which he did the difficult task of running the coalition. There were occasions when we disagreed. Even then he respected my views. I have lost my senior leader,” he said.Karat's condolence
Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat
