Profile

KR Gauri - popularly known as Gauri Amma- (b.1919), has completed 50 years as a legislator in Kerala Assembly. Perhaps, no other legislator in India can boast of such an unique record. Already, she has entered the history books of Kerala and is all set to enter the record books at the national level.

A prominent figure in the Communist movement in Kerala has played a profound and significant role in determining the destiny of the present day Kerala.

Along with other luminous figures like C Kesavan, AK Gopalan, Mannath Padmanabhan and EMS, KR Gauri has carved a niche for herself in State politics.

A relentless and staunch crusader for the downtrodden, she has proved herself as an efficient administrator while remaining as an astute politician.

KR Gauri was born at Pattanakad, in Alappuzha district as the seventh daughter of K A Raman and Parvathi. After her schooling at Thiroor and Cherthala, she graduated from Maharajas College, Ernakulam. She then obtained her law degree from Law College, Ernakulam.

Starting her public life through trade union and peasant movements, Gauri was elected to the Travancore Council of Legislative Assembly in the year 1952 and 1954 with overwhelming majority.

She became Revenue Minister in the first EMS ministry in 1957 holding the portfolio of Revenue minister. In the very same year she married TV Thomas, an active politician and also a minister in EMS ministry.

After the split of Communist party in 1964, KR Gauri joined the newly formed CPI (M). But her husband, T V Thomas, stood with the CPI. . This created fissures in their relationship and soon they parted owing to the differences in their political views.

In 1994 KR Gauri was expelled from CPI (M) on charges of anti-party activities. Following this she established a new political outfit named Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi. (JSS).

Currently, she holds the portfolio of Agriculture in the Antony Ministry.