P. K. Kunhalikutty

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


P. K. Kunhalikutty
P. K. Kunhalikutty.jpg
P. K. Kunhalikutty in January 2016
Member of Parliament
In office
17 July 2017 – 3 February 2021
Preceded byE. Ahamed
Succeeded byM. P. Abdussamad Samadani
ConstituencyMalappuram
Member of Legislative Assembly
In office
2011–2017
Preceded byK. N. A. Khader
Succeeded byK. N. A. Khader
ConstituencyVengara
In office
1991–2006
Succeeded byK. T. Jaleel
ConstituencyVengara
Minister for Industries and Information Technology, Kerala
In office
23 May 2011 – 19 May 2016
ConstituencyKuttippuram
Minister for Industries, IT & Social Welfare
In office
2004–2005
Minister for Industries and Municipalities
In office
1995–1996
Minister for Industries and Social Welfare
In office
1991–1995
Personal details
Born (1951-06-01) 1 June 1951 (age 72)
Oorakam, Malabar District, Madras state, India (present-day Malappuram district, Kerala, India)
Nationality Indian
Political party Indian Union Muslim League
ChildrenP. K. Ashik (son), P.K. Lasitha (daughter)
ResidencePanakkadu, Malappuram
Websitewww.kerala.gov.in

P. K. Kunhalikutty (born 1 June 1951 as Pandikkadavath Kunhalikutty) is an Indian politician and social worker who is a former Member of Parliament from Malappuram Parliament Constituency of the Indian state of Kerala. He also serves as National General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) from 2007.[1][2] He was a member of Standing Committee on Railways, Government of India.[3]

Kunhalikutty was born at Oorakam in Malabar district, Madras State in 1951. He entered politics through Muslim Students Federation - MSF (the MSF), the student wing of Indian Union Muslim League. He served as College Union Secretary at Farook College Students Union, Kozhikode. He subsequently served as Chairman of Malappuram Municipality at the age of 29 in 1980.[1][2]

Kunhalikutty was elected to the Kerala state Legislative Assembly for the first time from the Malappuram Constituency in 1982.[1][2] He went on becoming Member of Legislative Assembly of Kerala for seven times between 1982 and 2016. He also served as Minister for Industries in several Kerala Legislative Assemblies (under Congress leaders K. Karunakaran, A. K. Antony and Oommen Chandy).[1][2] Kunhalikutty served as General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League of Kerala State from 2003 - 2006 and from 2007 to 2011.[3]

Kunhalikutty is popularly known as "Kunjappa" among his supporters.[4] He is known for his deep 'bonding' to United Democratic Front, the decades-old Congress-lead pre-poll alliance in Kerala.[4] As per Malayala Manorama daily, "the persuasive charm" of Kunhalikutty is widely respected by his political peers and rivals.[4] He is also known for his 'vast experience in crafting strategic moves' , and having 'weathered many a storm in his political career' .[5] The Outlook magazine once described Kunhalikutty as "Indian Union Muslim League's backbone in Kerala politics."[6] He is widely regarded as the troubleshooter within United Democratic Front (Kerala).[7]

Background and career[edit]

P. K. Kunhalikutty was born on 1 June 1951 at Oorakam, Melmuri in present-day Malappuram District as the son of Pandikkadavath Mohamed Haji and K. P. Fathima Kutty.[3] He completed his secondary education from G. V. H. S. S Vengara. He has an under-graduate degree in Commerce from Sir Syed College, Thaliparamba. He was also educated at Farook College, Kozhikode.[3] He is also a Post-Graduate Diploma holder in Business Management.[1][2]

Personal life[edit]

Kunhalikutty is married to K. M. Ummul Kulza[3] and the couple have two children named P.K. Hashique married to Tania Hashique and Lasitha P.K married to Kudal Abu Zulfeiq. [1][2] He spends his spare time in vegetable cultivation at a plot near his residence and in ornamental fish farming.[8] The chairman of Koyenco group, P.P. Koya is brother in law of P.K. Kunhalikutty.[9]

Political career[edit]

Kunhalikutty is also the National General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) from 2007.[1][2] He was National Treasurer, Indian Union Muslim League. He is also serving presently as Director, Chandrika daily and Director, Muhammed Koya International Foundation.[1][2] From May 2016 to April 2017, he served as Deputy Leader of Opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly. From May 2017 to January 2018, he was a member in Committee on Government Assurances, Government of India.[3]

1980 Malappuram Municipality chairman[edit]

Kunhalikutty entered politics through Muslim Students Federation (the MSF), the student wing of Indian Union Muslim League. He later became State Treasurer, Muslim Students Federation - MSF. He also served as Secretary, Farook College Students Union.[3]

He subsequently served as Chairman, Malappuram Municipality - at the age of 29 - in 1980.[1][2] The Indian Express later wrote, "he became the blue-eyed boy of the [respected] Panakkad Thangal family after displaying political acumen and charisma upon being elected Malappuram Municipality chairman in 1980".[5] Rise of Kunhalikutty in Indian Union Muslim League after the 1980 victory was later described media as "meteoric".[4]

Appointment in K. Karunakaran Ministry[edit]

Kunhalikutty served as Minister for Industries and Social Welfare from 1991 to 1995 in the K. Karunakaran Ministry (1991-95). The appointment in K. Karunakaran Ministry is often called as "the real break" in Kunhalikutty's political career.[5] As per observers, the selection was an indication of senior leader K. Karunakaran's regard for the young League politician.[4]

Tenure in Kerala Legislative Assembly[edit]

Kunhalikutty has been elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly seven times, in 1982 and 1987, contesting from Malappuram Constituency, and in 1991, 1996 and 2001, from Kuttippuram Constituency and in 2011 and 2016 from Vengara Constituency.[3] In the 2006 Left Democratic Front wave in Kerala, Kunhalikutty was defeated by K.T. Jaleel in Kuttippuram Constituency.[4]

Career as Minister for Industries[edit]

Kunhalikutty went on to serve as Minister for Industries and Municipalities from 1995 to 1996, and Minister for Industries, IT and Social Welfare from 2001 to 2004, in two A. K. Antony Ministries and Minister for Industries, IT and Social Welfare, from 2004 to 2005 in the Oommen Chandy Ministry.[1][2] In 2011 he was the most wealthiest member in the cabinet of Oommen Chandy.[10]

P. K. Kunhalikutty (third from right) with the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (2013), in Kochi

Kunhalikutty served as General Secretary, Kerala State, Indian Union Muslim League from 2003 - 2006 and 2007 to 2011.[3]

Member of Parliament[edit]

Kunhalikutty got elected as Member of Parliament from Malappuram (Lok Sabha constituency) in 2017 in a bye-election.[11] The election was a result of the death of former Union Minister and senior IUML leader E. Ahamed. Kunhalikutty won from all the seven Assembly constituencies of the Parliament Constituency.[12] He was reelected to Malappuram during the 2019 General Elections. In February 2021, he resigned from the Lok Sabha to contest the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election.[13] Currently he is the MLA of Vengara state constituency of Kerala.

Minister in different Kerala ministries[edit]

P. K. Kunhalikutty with Oommen Chandy (2012)
UDF term Chief Minister Period Portfolio
1991–1996 K. Karunakaran 1991–95 Industries and Social Welfare
A. K. Antony 1995–96 Industries and Municipalities
2001–2006 A. K. Antony 2001–04 Industries, Information Technology and Social Welfare
Oommen Chandy 2004–05 Industries, Information Technology and Social Welfare
2011–2016 Oommen Chandy 2011–16 Industries, Information Technology, Haj and Wakf and Mining and Geology

Controversies[edit]

P. K. Kunhalikutty experienced electoral defeat only in 2006 Kerala state assembly elections due to his involvement in the 1997 Ice cream parlour sex scandal.[14] A closure report in the case was filed in the trial court later by the Special Investigation Team. There were severe allegation levelled in relation with this case including death of two girls in Kozhikode.[15] The Supreme Court of India had in 2016 dismissed a petition from the opposition communists seeking a federal probe into the case.[16]

There were allegations in relations with 2020 Kerala gold smuggling case that one of the key accused, K.T. Ramees that he is a relative of P.K. Kunhalikutty.[17][18]

He skipped Lok Sabha session and was attending a marriage in Dubai when parliamentary proceedings over Triple Talaq abolition bill was taking place. [19][20][21][22][23][24] [25][26] [27] [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]

In 2011, there was plea before Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau Court, Thrissur made by Andul Aziz from National Secular Conference to undertake a probe into wealth amassed by P.K. Kunhalikutty and his relatives.[41] The plea had mention about investments made into Seashore Rolling Engineering Company owned by son of P.K. Kunhalikutty.[42] The plea was dismissed by the VACB court due to inadequate evidences to support the claim.[43]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Minister for Industries and Information Technology. Kerala.gov.in. Retrieved on 23 July 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Members – Kerala Legislature. Niyamasabha.org. Retrieved on 23 July 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "Members : Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Udayabhanu, Prem. (2017, April 17). A sneak peek at the life and times of 'Kunjappa'. Malayala Manorama. Retrieved from https://english.manoramaonline.com [1] [2]
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 (2017, April 17). IUML's warhorse saddles up for national sojourn. The New Indian Express. Retrieved from http://www.newindianexpress.com [3] [4]
  6. ↑ "E. Ahamed's Daughter Fouzia Emerges As A Political Face In Kerala's Misogynistic Muslim League". Outlook (India). Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  7. ↑ "Explained: The importance of Kunhalikutty in Kerala Assembly elections". The Indian Express. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  8. ↑ Malayalam Manorama Correspondent. (2017, April 10). കുഞ്ഞാലിക്കുട്ടി എങ്ങനെ കുഞ്ഞാപ്പയായി? ചില മലപ്പുറം കൗതുക കാഴ്ചകൾ. Malayala Manorama. Retrieved from https://www.manoramaonline.com [5] [6]
  9. ↑ Damodaran, Harish (25 November 2018). INDIA'S NEW CAPITALISTS: Caste, Business, and Industry in a Modern Nation. Hachette India. ISBN 978-93-5195-280-0.
  10. ↑ Devasia, T. K. "Kunhalikutty is the richest in Kerala cabinet". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  11. ↑ Malappuram Election Result
  12. ↑ Press Trust of India. (2017 April 17). Muslim League wins big to retain Malappuram Lok Sabha seat. The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved from https://www.thehindubusinessline.com [7] [8]
  13. ↑ "IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty resigns as MP to contest Kerala Assembly polls". The News Minute. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  14. ↑ Radhakrishnan, M. G. (15 November 2004). "8-year-old sex scandal haunts Kerala minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, rocks govt". India Today. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  15. ↑ "Plea filed for fresh probe into girls' death". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  16. ↑ "Mathrubhumi". Archived from the original on 24 May 2020.
  17. ↑ M.K, Nidheesh (12 July 2020). "Malappuram-based businessman in customs custody over Kerala gold smuggling case". mint. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  18. ↑ "NIA Arrests PK Kunhalikutty's Kin Rameez in Gold Smuggling Case; Chakkiri Ahmed Also A Relative". Deshabhimani. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  19. ↑ "Kunhalikutty slammed for skipping talaq voting". The Times of India. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  20. ↑ Emmanuel, Gladwin (28 December 2018). "P K Kunhalikutty skips Parliament debate, stirs controversy". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Kunhalikutty has Rs 300 crore worth of black money deposit in coop bank: Jaleel". newindianexpress.com. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  22. ↑ "Kunhalikutty has Rs 300 crore worth of black money deposit in malappuram bank". manorama.com. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  23. ↑ "Kunhalikutty betrayed Thangal for 'four silver coins': KT Jaleel". mathrubhumi.com. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  24. ↑ "/kunhalikutty siphoned off crores from co-op-bank in malappuram". manorama.com. 18 August 2021.
  25. ↑ "IUML leader-turned-CPM fellow traveller K T Jaleel takes sweet revenge". deccanchronicle.com. 19 August 2021.
  26. ↑ "ED should summon Kunhalikutty, not Thangal: KT Jaleel". newindianexpress.com. 21 August 2021.
  27. ↑ "P K Kunhalikutty laundered money, says Kerala former minister". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 21 August 2021.
  28. ↑ "kt jaleel against pk kunhalikutty". mangalam.com (in മലയാളം). 22 August 2021.
  29. ↑ "kt Jaleel against pk Kunhalikutty". www.deshabhimani.com (in മലയാളം). 24 August 2021.
  30. ↑ "kt Jaleel on iuml pk Kunhalikutty". manoramanews.com (in മലയാളം). 24 August 2021.
  31. ↑ "kt jaleel to pk kunhalikutty sons nri investment in co-operative bank". madhyamam.com (in മലയാളം). 24 August 2021.
  32. ↑ "money laundering scandal:". manorama.com (in മലയാളം). 24 August 2021.
  33. ↑ "kunhalikutty has rs 300 crore value of black cash deposit". canadianpathram.com (in മലയാളം). 24 August 2021.
  34. ↑ "kt jaleel arrived enforcement directorate". mathrubhumi (in മലയാളം). 2 September 2021.
  35. ↑ "kt jaleel at ed office". manorama (in മലയാളം). 2 September 2021.
  36. ↑ "malappuram ar nagar bank case". janmabhumi.in (in മലയാളം). 2 September 2021.
  37. ↑ "kt jaleel at ed office". tatwamayinews.com (in മലയാളം). 2 September 2021.
  38. ↑ "money laundering ed demanded kt jalil". sirajlive.com (in മലയാളം). 2 September 2021.
  39. ↑ "kt jaleel pk kunjalikkutty ed chandrika fund fraud". doolnews.com (in മലയാളം). 2 September 2021.
  40. ↑ "Jaleel reaches ED office, says Kunhalikutty will be quizzed on Thursday". newindianexpress.com. 4 September 2021.
  41. ↑ "Inquiry into complaints on Kunhalikutty begins". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  42. ↑ "PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  43. ↑ "Plea against Kunhalikutty rejected". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
Lok Sabha
Preceded by
E. Ahamed 		Member of Parliament
for Malappuram
17 April 2017 – 2021 		Succeeded by
M. P. Abdussamad Samadani
Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other


Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/index.php?title=P._K._Kunhalikutty&oldid=283433"