P. K. Kunhalikutty

P. K. Kunhalikutty (born 1 June 1951 as Pandikkadavath Kunhalikutty) is an Indian politician and social worker who is the present Member of Legislative Assembly from Vengara Assembly Constituency in Kerala.

He also serves as National General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Deputy Leader of opposition in Kerala Leglative Assembly.

Kunhalikutty was born at Oorakam in Malabar district, Madras State in 1951.

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.

He completed his secondary education from G. V. H. S. S. Vengara.

He has an under-graduate degree in commerce from Sir Syed College, Taliparamba.

He was also educated at Farook College, Kozhikode.

He is also a Post-Graduate Diploma holder in Business Management.

Kunhalikutty is married to K. M. Ummul Kulza and the couple have two children.

He spends his spare time in vegetable cultivation at a plot near his residence and in ornamental fish farming.

The chairman of Koyenco Group, P. P. Koya, is brother-in-law of P. K. Kunhalikutty.

Kunhalikutty is also the National General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League, (IUML).

He entered public life through students and college union politics and served as Chairman of Malappuram Municipality at the age of 29 in 1980.

He subsequently served as chairman, Malappuram Municipality, at the age of 29, in 1980.

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".

Rise of Kunhalikutty in Indian Union Muslim League after the 1980 victory was later described by the media as "meteoric".

He was elected to the Kerala state Legislative Assembly for the first time from the Malappuram Constituency in 1982.

He went on to become Member of Legislative Assembly of Kerala eight times between 1982 and 2021.

He also served as Minister for Industries in several Kerala Legislative Assemblies (under Congress leaders K. Karunakaran, A. K. Antony and Oommen Chandy).

Kunhalikutty has been elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly eight times, in 1982 and 1987, contesting from Malappuram Assembly Constituency, and in 1991, 1996 and 2001, from Kuttippuram Constituency and in 2011, 2016 and 2021 from Vengara Constituency.

Kunhalikutty served as Minister for Industries and Social Welfare from 1991 to 1995 in the K. Karunakaran Ministry (1991–95).

As per observers, the selection was an indication of senior leader K. Karunakaran's regard for the "young League politician".

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.

Kunhalikutty served as Kerala State General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League from 2003 - 2006 and from 2007 - 2011.

Kunhalikutty is popularly known as "Kunjappa" among his supporters.

He is known for his deep 'bonding' to United Democratic Front, the decades-old Congress-led pre-poll alliance in Kerala.

As per Malayala Manorama daily, "the persuasive charm" of Kunhalikutty is widely respected by his political peers and rivals.

He is also known for his 'vast experience in crafting strategic moves', and having 'weathered many a storm in his political career'.

The Outlook magazine once described Kunhalikutty as "Indian Union Muslim League's backbone in Kerala politics."

He earlier served as Kerala State General Secretary, Indian Union Muslim League from 2003 - 2006 and 2007 - 2011.

He was National Treasurer, Indian Union Muslim League.

He is also serving presently as Director, Chandrika daily and Director, Muhammed Koya International Foundation.

In the 2006 Left Democratic Front wave in Kerala, Kunhalikutty was defeated by K.T. Jaleel in Kuttippuram Constituency.

In 2011 he was the wealthiest member in the cabinet of Oommen Chandy and served as Minister for the remarkable IT Project Akshaya project in 2002

From May 2016 to April 2017, he served as Deputy Leader of Opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly.

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.

He also served as Secretary, Farook College Students Union.

Kunhalikutty got elected as Member of Parliament from Malappuram Parliamentary Constituency in 2017 in a by-election.

The election was a result of the death of former Minister of State for External Affairs and senior IUML leader E. Ahamed.