Former Union Minister KP Unnikrishnan Passes Away at 89 in Kozhikode
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister KP Unnikrishnan passed away at 89 in Kozhikode after prolonged age related illness leaving behind a long parliamentary legacy from Vadakara
- KP Unnikrishnan former Union Minister passes away
- Senior Congress leader dies at 89 in Kozhikode
- Represented Vadakara in Lok Sabha for decades
Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister KP Unnikrishnan passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 89. He had been undergoing treatment for age related health issues at a private hospital in Kozhikode where he breathed his last.
Unnikrishnan leaves behind his wife Amrutha and two daughters. His demise marks the end of an era in Kerala politics, where he was widely respected for his parliamentary experience and principled public life.
Beginning his career as a journalist, Unnikrishnan later stepped into politics and steadily built a reputation as a strong voice in Parliament. He first entered the Lok Sabha in 1971 as a Congress candidate from Vadakara. Over the next two decades, he won consecutive elections in 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991, earning recognition as one of the longest serving representatives from a single constituency in Kerala.
During his tenure at the Centre, he served as Union Minister for Surface Transport and Communications in the cabinet of Prime Minister VP Singh. His administrative approach and commitment to public service earned him respect across party lines.
Though once considered a trusted associate of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Unnikrishnan later parted ways with the Congress due to ideological differences. He remained active in Congress U and Congress S formations and also served as leader of the Congress Secular group in Parliament between 1981 and 1984. He was a member of the Public Accounts Committee from 1980 to 1982.
After a long political journey outside the party, he returned to the Congress fold in 1995. His career reflected both loyalty and conviction, shaped by shifting political landscapes yet anchored in democratic values.
Leaders across parties have expressed condolences, remembering KP Unnikrishnan as a seasoned parliamentarian whose voice carried weight in national debates. His passing has left a void in the political circles of Kerala and beyond.
