Kerala is one of the most politically conscious state in India. Politics and Cinema dominate the entire discussion arena. Kerala produced the first Communist Government in India through ballot and was the forerunner in coalition politics in India. Polling percentages in excess of 90 percent are common here.

The political mass is divided among two camps from 1950 onwards, the left of the centre parties, headed by Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Centrist alliance dominated by Congress (I). The LDF camp comprises of Communist Party of India-CPI, Kerala Congress (Joseph)- KC (J), Revolutionary Socialist Party- RSP, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Janata Dal (United)- JD (U).

The United Democratic Front (UDF) cohabitants are Muslim League, Kerala Congress (Mani)- KC (M), Kerala Congress (Jacob), Revolutionary Socialist Party (Bolshevik)-RSP (B), Kerala Congress (B)- KC (B) and Communist Marxist Party- CMP. The right of the centre parties consisting of communal entities are yet to spread its tentacles in Kerala.

Birth of Kerala
The present day Kerala came into being during 1956, under the States Re-Organisation Act. Even as the princely states- Travancore, Cochin and Malabar had a very vibrant democratic setup, the state had an impressive record of enlightened administration to its credit and that it was one of the most progressive states of India under British rule.

Early Political Activities
The beginning of enlightened administration in Travancore may be associated with the reign of Marthanda Varma (1729 –1758) and the Dharma Raja (1758 – 1798). The framework of the future administrative system of Travancore was evolved under these rulers and they introduced several progressive and liberal reforms.

The reign of Sri Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma, the last of the ruling sovereigns of Travancore , saw the re-constitution of the legislature and the introduction of administrative and social reforms. Under the Legislative Reforms Act of 1932 – 33, the Travancore Legislature was reformed on the basis of wider franchise.

British Malabar played a leading part in the National Movement, which culminated in the achievement of Indian Independence. From 1916 onwards, political conferences were held in Malabar to bring the grievances of the people to the attention of the Government. The most important event connected with the political movement in Malabar during this period was the Malabar rebellion of 1921.

The history of Cochin as a progressive state commences with the reign of Sakthan Thampuran, 1790 – 1805. He laid the foundation for a centralized system of administration. Later during, 1812 – 1818, Colonel Monroe embarked on a methodical scheme of administrative re-organisation. The reforms introduced by him bear a close resemblance to those introduced in Travancore.

First Ministry of Travancore -Cochin
T.K Narayana Pillai, the Chief Minister of Travancore, headed the first popular ministry in Travancore-Cochin at the time of integration. Later, under the impact of internal conflict it was forced to resign and a new ministry under the Chief Ministership of C. Kesavan assumed office. In 1951-52 general elections, the congress party under the leadership of A.J John came to power, with the support of Travancore Tamilnad Congress. But it did not last long and had to bow out in 1953.

During the mid-term elections held in 1954, the Congress party could secure only 45 out of the total 118 seats. To prevent a coalition dominated by Communists from assuming office, Congress party gave support to Praja Socialist Party (PSP). Pattom A. Thanu Pillai became the Chief Minister. PSP had only 19 seats in the assembly. Later a no-confidence motion supported by congress Party sealed the fate of PSP ministry.

During 1955, a Congress Ministry headed by Panampalli Govinda Menon
assumed office with the help of Tamilnad Congress. Internal discord brought it down and Presidents rule was imposed for the first time in the state.

First Communist in India
After the formation of the State of Kerala in 1956, the first general election was held in March 1957. Communist Party of India and a few independents supported by them secured 65 of the total 126 seats. It is the first Communist Government in India through Ballot Box. E.M.S Namboothirippad became the Chief Minister.

Certain policy initiatives made by his Government Irritated specific segments, which led to mass-agitation known as ‘vimochana samaram’ or ‘liberation struggle’. Parties like

Congress, PSP, RSP and the Muslim League took active interest in this struggle. This virulent agitation turned the administrative machinery upside down and finally the Governor of Kerala reported to the president that Constitutional Administration was broken down. Consequently on July 31, 1959, President dismissed the E.M.S ministry under Article 356.

In 1960 elections, the electoral alliance between Congress, PSP and the Muslim League defeated the Communist party. The coalition ministry under the leadership of Pattom A. Thanu Pillai again came to power.

Congress Ministry and it's subsequent Split
Later in September 1962, consequent to A. Thanu Pillai being appointed as the governor of Punjab, R. Sankar of Congress party assumed office. Sankar Ministry resigned in 1964 following the defection of 15 Congress Legislature Party members and their subsequent support to the no-confidence motion brought by the opposition.

The rebel Congress members United to form a new Party called Kerala Congress. K.M George was elected as the Chairman of this new Party.

Breakup in Communist party
The state was again placed under president’s rule. Another major development of the period was the vertical split of Communist Party. The Indo-China war accelerated the pace of the formal split. The Communist Party members divided their loyalty among the two major camps in the World Communist platform comprising of USSR and China. In 1963 October the Communist party split itself in to two camps- CPI and CPI (M).

And the PSP merged with Socialist Party of India to form a new party called Samyuktha Socialist Party. During the 1965 mid-term elections all the political parties contested independently without entering into any alliance. And none of them could muster sufficient seats to stake claim to form the Government. This forced the Governor to conclude that it is not possible to convene the assembly and he recommended dissolution of State Legislative Assembly. President of India proclaimed the dismissal on March 24, 1965.

EMS back at the helm again
Election was again held in 1967 and a whopping majority of 117 out of the total 133 pushed the alliance forged by CPI (M) to power. The ministry headed by E.M Sankaran Namboothiripad , the leader of CPI(M) assumed office in Kerala on March 6, 1967. It survived only for a little over two years and the Non-Marxist coalition ministry under the leadership of C. Achutha Menon, the leader of CPI, took office in November, 1, 1969.

With the help of new political realignment, CPI(M) emerged as the principal opposition party in Kerala Assembly. On August 1, 1970, Menon Ministry resigned to seek fresh mandate. In this election INC and CPI secured a clear verdict and the CPI leader, C. Achutha Menon was re-elected to office on October 4, 1970. This dispensation continued till 1976. Following the imposition of emergency by Indira Gandhi in June 1975 all the elections in the country were postponed and the Menon ministry went on to rule for more than 5 years.

Emergency and it's impact in Kerala
After the withdrawal of emergency, general elections were held in the country. The resentment against the imposition of emergency reflected in the outcome of elections and Janata party assumed power at the centre.

But the general feeling of the country did not reflect in Kerala and the United Front comprising of INC, CPI, IUML, KC and the RSP annexed power by securing 111 of the total 140 seats. K. Karunakaran, leader of Congress Legislature Party assumed power on March 23, 1977. However his tenure was short lived and he was forced to vacate office following police excesses while searching for Naxalites.

A.K Antony, the then President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee headed the next ministry. His ministry took office in April 25, 1977. Differences over the leadership of Mrs. Gandhi cropped up during this period and the Congress suffered a vertical split at the National level. Following this A.K Antony, who was allied with the opposite camp of Mrs. Gandhi, had to vacate office.

After this a new ministry headed by the leader of CPI, P.K Vasudevan Nair assumed office in 1978 and continued in office till October 12, 1979. He was forced to resign following differences of opinion among coalition partners on Gift Deeds Legislation.

Soon another ministry headed by Muslim League Leader C.H Muhammad Koya assumed office in October 12, 1979. He continued till December that year. Small groups like PSP, NDP along with the outside support of Congress(I), Congress(U) and some other minuscule groups helped to prop up this Ministry. The withdrawal of support by Congress(U) and KC(Mani) led to its fall.

Nayanar as chief minister
Again President’s rule was imposed and fresh elections were announced. The left Democratic Front led by CPI (M) secured 93 of the total 140 seats. E.K Nayanar, Leader of CPI(M) was sworn in as Chief Minister on January 25, 1980

In October 1981, following the withdrawal of support by Antony Congress(Congress(U)) and KC(M), Kerala was again placed under a bout of President’s rule.

Meanwhile realignment of political forces took place and the Congress (Antony) and KC (M) re-entered in to the ranks of former Congress (I). A new ministry under the stewardship of K. Karunakaran assumed office in December 1981. It held on to power with the help of casting vote by the speaker of the Assembly and subsequently fell down as a consequence of defections and Kerala was again placed under president’s rule.

UDF comes back to power
In May 1982, General Elections were held and the United Democratic setup won majority. The coalition led by Congress(I) leader K. Karunakaran took oath as Chief Minister on May 24, 1982. It had the fortune to complete its tenure.

In the next General Elections, the ruling alliance was defeated and the LDF coalition came to power under the leadership of E.K Nayanar in March 25, 1987. It enjoyed the support of 79 members out of the total 140 members. The LDF had gone to poll by declaring that they will not have any truck with communal parties or caste based entities. So for the first time after a long spell , a Government without the support of either KC or IUML came into power.

This dispensation continued till 1991 and decided to seek fresh mandate following their excellent performance in District Council Elections. But their expectations were belied and the UDF under the stewardship of K. Karunakaran was voted back to power. In March 22,1995, he was forced to resign following internal squabbles. As per the compromise formula brokered by the high command, A.K Antony was made the Chief Minister for the remaining term.

LDF captures power again

In the next general election, the UDF was defeated and the Coalition led by CPI(M) captured power. Significantly E.K Nayanar, the present Chief Minister, did not contest the election. But the Chief Ministerial candidate V.S Achuthanandan suffered an unexpected defeat. Following this E.K Nayanar was again brought back to the helm of affairs. Later he became a member of the house. On August 19, 2000 he became the first Marxist Cheif Minister in Kerala to continue in office longer than his left predecessors .This Government is still progressing, and the available indicators suggest that he is all set to become the first Communist Chief Minister to complete his term.

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