Veteran Kerala Congress Leader K M Mani Passed Away Aged 86; Here’s A Look At His Political Career

Kerala Congress strongman and former Minister K M Mani passed away today evening (9 April) at Ernakulam, he was 86.

Mani was the chairman of the Kerala Congress (Mani) and MLA from the Pala Constituency. Considered the “chanakya” of Kerala Politics, he was a member of every ministry formed by the United Democratic Front since its formation in the late 1980s. Mani has represented the Pala Constituency since its formation in 1964.

Mani was admitted to Lake shore Hospital in Ernakulam on Sunday (7 April). While his situation slightly improved in the morning, it rapidly deteriorated in the evening.

Originally a lawyer, he was an active member of the Indian National Congress and was the District Secretary of the Party in Kottayam from 1960 till 1964.

In 1964, after the death of P T Chacko, a whole host of prominent leaders from the Congress parted ways to form the Kerala Congress. KM Mani was one of them. He contested his maiden election in 1965 and since then has represented the Constituency for 54 years, winning 14 elections.

He holds the record as the MLA who was elected the highest number of times, had the highest number of budget speeches at 13 and took the most number of oaths of office as minister at 12.

Mani was an evergreen symbol in Kerala politics, a mover and shaker of agendas and issues. He was unceremoniously forced to resign from the last UDF ministry in 2015 after he was accused of taking bribes in the allotment of bars.

After the UDF wipe out in the subsequent elections held in 2016, he quit the UDF before rejoining the front in 2018. His death marks the end of an era in Kerala politics.

He is survived by his Wife Annamma and his children, Jose K Mani (Rajya Sabha MP), Elsa, Annie, Sally, Tessy and Smita.