K. R. Gowri Amma

K. R. Gowri Amma (born 14 July 1919) heads the Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy (JSS), a political party based in Kerala, India. Prior to the formation of JSS she was a prominent figure in the communist movement in Kerala. She was a Minister in the communist-led Ministries in Kerala in 1957, 1967, 1980, and 1987 and also became a Minister in the Congress-led Cabinet from 2001 to 2006.[1]

Early life

Gowri was born at Pattanakad village in Alappuzha district of Kerala as the seventh daughter of K. A. Raman and Parvathi Amma.[2] She attended schools at Thuravoor and Cherthala and completed her graduation from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam. She also received a Law degree from Government Law College, Ernakulam.[2]

Political life

She is one of the oldest serving politicians in Kerala politics.[1] Under the influence of elder brother and trade union leader Sukumaran, she entered the vibrant world of politics at a time when women hardly found themselves in politics. Starting her public life through trade union and peasant movements, Gauri was jailed on a number of occasions for participating in political activities.[3] She was elected to the Travancore Council of Legislative Assembly in the year 1952 and 1954 with an overwhelming majority. She became Revenue Minister in the first communist ministry in 1957, headed by E. M. S. Namboodiripad (EMS). In the very same year she married T V Thomas, a prominent politician and also a minister in EMS ministry.

After the split of Communist party in 1964, K. R. Gauri joined the newly formed Communist Party of India (Marxist). But her husband, T. V. Thomas, stood with the Communist Party of India.[1] This created fissures in their relationship and soon they parted owing to the differences in their political views.

In 1994 she was expelled from CPI (M) on charges of anti-party activities.[2] Following this she established a new political outfit named Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy (JSS).[4] JSS went on to join the United Democratic Front, the arch-rivals of the Left Democratic Front to which CPI (M) belongs. She served as the Minister of Agriculture in the A. K. Antony and Oommen Chandy ministries.[5] She was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in all elections except in 1977, 2006 and 2011.

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Pioneers: K.R. Gouri Amma". Frontline. 24 May 2008. http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2511/stories/20080606251102700.htm. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c "K.R GOWRI AMMA". webindia123.com. http://www.webindia123.com/personal/politician/gowri.htm. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  3. ^ "MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND COIR". niyamasabha.org. http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/min17.htm. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  4. ^ "86-year-old Kerala minister ready for battle". The Times of India. 24 March 2006. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1463071.cms. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  5. ^ "K.R. Gowri Amma success story". mahilalu.com. http://www.mahilalu.com/gowri_amma_success_story.php. Retrieved 12 February 2010.