C. N. Balakrishnan is the present Minister for Co-operation of the Government of Kerala. He is representing the Vadakkanchery constituency in Kerala after winning in the 2011 State Election.
C.N Balakrishnan is a leader in Cooperative unions. He came in cooperative unions by forming fish man society. Then he give leadership to Thrissur milk supply union, Puranattukara service cooperative union. C.N Balakrishnan was also able to become the vice-president and president of district cooperative bank.
He came in politics as a librarian of Puzhakkal library. C.N Balakrishnan was always with local peoples and he works a lot for Khadi industries and its development. He was association president of Kerala Khadi and village industries association for 32 years. In congress party, he was KPCC treasurer for many years. For thirty years he works in Thrissur and gives leadership to congress party in Thrissur and was also Thrissur DCC president for fifteen years. C.N Balakrishnan is also known as "congress manager" because of its ability to solve problems without hurting anyone.
C.N Balakrishnan came in election for the first time at an age of 75 and he was able to win from Wadakkanchery constituency in Kerala assembly election 2011. He defeated N.R.Balan of CPIM with 6685 votes.