When Kerala Turned Red, The World Stood Watching: The Dramatic History Of The First EMS Ministry: By Kannan Balakrishnan

Submitted by admin on Sat, 2007-04-14 12:38. About_Kerala
Kerala is celebrating the golden jubilee of the EMS ministry in 1957. This ministry was unique in several ways. The history of Kerala politics is fascinating with several vicissitudes and dramatic turning points. We will be getting a glimpse of the drama when we analyze the story of the first Kerala ministry.

The first assembly elections in the newly formed state of Kerala was conducted in February march 1957. When the results came there was surprise and interest all over the world. For the first time in the history, a communist government was coming into power through ballot paper in a major country. Even countries like America, Russia and Britain watched the events.

Elamkulam Manackal Sankarn Nampooirippadu, called EMS with love and admiration by people of Kerala thus became the first chief minister of Kerala. Born in an orthodox Brahmin family, having knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads EMS was a great man and Marxian philosopher. Before becoming a member of the communist party of India, he was a member and even state secretary of the Indian National Congress. He had earlier quit his studies and jumped into the independence struggle in India

EMS was elected from the Neeleswarom constituency in northern Kerala. His cabinet contained ten other ministers; C. Achutha menon , K.C george, K.P Gopalan, P.K Chathan master,Prof.Joseph Mundasserry,T.V Thomas ,K.R gowriamma, A.R. Menon, V.R. Krishna Iyyer, and T.A Majeed..

Gowriamma was the wife of TV Thomas at the time of formation of the ministry. Later their lives witnessed many dramatic events. V.R Krishna Iyyer later become a judge in the supreme court .Achutha Menon became the Chief minister of Kerala in 1969.

Only Two of them K.R Gowriamma and V.R Krishna Iyyer are alive at the time of writing this.

This ministry was Responsible for many historical revolutions in the history of Kerala. Foundation was laid for the “Kerala Model” of development by it. Education bill and land reforms act are two major contributions,which radically changed Kerala society.

Many Acts of the ministry angered various sectors So the opposition with the help of great men like Mannathu Padbhanaban, P.T. Chako and R.Sankar started a revolution to free Kerala from the communist ministry. Finally on 1959 July 21 , Central government dismissed EMS government. Therefore, it became the first ministry in India to be dismissed by the central government.
» add new comment | 269 reads