KANNUR: Through the cabinet reshuffle, Ramachandran Kadannappalli will be wearing the ministerial uniform for the third time. Affable to all, Kadannappalli's minister post has support that transcends party politics.

Despite being a small party in the front, Congress (S) and Kadannappalli were treated well by the LDF. Kadannappalli's plus point is that he maintained credibility with the front and CPM at all times. The title of popular leader also contributed to this consideration. Ramachandran was included in the first Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet in 2016 also. Kadannappalli got the port and archaeology departments. Although his name came up for the second Pinarayi cabinet in the first phase, considering the demand of the Front, he has been admitted to the cabinet after two and a half years of waiting.

Kadannappalli entered electoral politics in 1971 as a law student by defeating EK Nayanar in the Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency. In 1977, he defeated Ramanna Rai and represented Kasaragod in the Lok Sabha. He became an MLA from Irikkur in 1980 and Edakkad MLA from 2006-11. During that period from 17th August 2009 to 14th May 2011 he served as Minister for Devaswom, Printing and Stationery in the VS Cabinet. During his tenure as an MP, he also served as a member of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Railways and Communications and a member of the Public Accounts Committee of the Lok Sabha.

Kadannappalli started his social work through student politics. In 1960, he became the president of KSU Kannur Taluk. He became the state general secretary of KSU in 1965 and became the president in 1969. Kadannappalli joined the LDF in 1980 when the Congress split while he was the KSU state president. AK Antony, who was with him at that time, went back to the Congress, but Kadannappalli stayed with LDF and became the Irikkur MLA.

When he swears in on the 29th, Kadannappalli will also hold the distinction of being the oldest minister in the Pinarayi cabinet. He is the son of the late PV Krishnan Gurukkal and TK Parvathi Amma of Payyannur Kadannappalli. Wife: T.R. Saraswati. His son is Mithun, a musician in the band Avial. Daughter-in-law: Bijibala.

"There has been no talk about the department I will get in connection with the cabinet reshuffle. I will do justice to whatever department I get. I will be honest and trustworthy to people.'

-Ramachandran Kadannappalli MLA