P.K. KunhalikuttyThere was no electoral battle in Malappuram Lok Sabha by-poll, where Pandikadavathu Kunhalikutty won an overwhelming mandate.
At all stages, the discussion veered around only whether the margin of victory would cross the 1,94,739 votes, which E. Ahamed clocked in 2014. As Kunhalikutty relishes his massive victory and prepares for tougher political battles in the national scenario, Onmanorama takes a sneak peek at his life and times.
Born on June 1, 1951, as the son of Mohammad Haji and Fathima Kutty.
Entered politics through Muslim Students Federation, the students' wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Kunhalikutty was the college union secretary at Farook College.
His meteoric rise in the IUML began after he was chosen the Malappuram Municipality chairman in 1980.
Political peers and rivals began to note the persuasive charm of Kunhalikutty, which gained him a firm standing in the IUML.
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Also read: From yoga to farming, many hues of 'Kunjappa' unravels in Pandikadavathu | Pix
Gradually, Kunhalikutty climbed the corridors of power in the IUML and the UDF. In 1991, June21, he was anointed minister in the K. Karunakaran ministry.
Karunakran gave him the plum Industries portfolio, an indication of the regard the late Congress stalwart had for the IUML leader.
Kunhalikutty continued as industries minister in Karunakaran ministry till 1995, March 22.
The IUML leader then continued as Industries minister in the A.K.Antony ministry till May 20,1995.
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After the UDF stormed back to power in 2001, Kunhalikutty retained his Industries portfolio in the A.K. Antony ministry. He also got the Social Welfare portfolio.
When Oommen Chandy took over the reigns from Antony, Kunhalikutty continued his stint as minister, holding the same portfolios.
The IUML leader, who had a deep bonding with the UDF, was elected to the assembly seven times – 1982, 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2011, and 2016.
In 1982 and 1987, 'Kunjappa,' as he is fondly called, won from Malappuram assembly segment.
In 1991, he switched over to Kuttipuram assembly segment, where his lone poll defeat happened against K.T. Jaleel in the 2006 LDF wave. Kunhalikutty lost by 8,781 votes.
In 2011 and 2016, he contested and won from Vengara, the constituency he represents now. Vengara would soon have to go for a by-poll to select Kunhalikutty's successor.
