E.M.S. Namboodiripad

Elamkulam Manakkal Sankaran Namboodiripad, better known as E M S Namboodiripad was the first non Congress chief minister of independent India. He was one of the most important leaders of the Communist party of India and was well known for his love of socialist and Marxist theories. He is also remembered as the first Chief Minister of the state of Kerala after India’s independence. E M S Namboodiripad assumed office as Kerala CM in the year 1957 and again in the year 1967. Apart from a successful career in politics, E M S Namboodiripad was also known for his contribution as a writer of non fiction work. E M S Namboodiripad’s book on the history of Kerala is widely referred to till today.

FDC-Set of Stamps Personality Series ( 50 Years of Republic – 27 January 2001)

(1) E.M.S. Namboodiripad (Marxist Theoretician) (2) Giani Gurumukh Singh Musafir (Akali Reformer) (3) Prof. N.G. Ranga (Social Reformer)

E.M.S. Namboodiripad was a rare example of a Communist leader who hailing from a traditional landlord family graduated to become the foremost leader of the proletarian revolutionary movement. He spent three years in jail and six years underground. His was a life of sacrifice and simplicity. He set an example which has inspired tens of thousands of communists all over the country. In Kerala he was a legend in his lifetime who was adored and respected by all sections of the people. Till the last day of his life, despite failing health, E.M.S kept to his daily routine of writing articles and providing guidance to the Party.

The postal stamp E M S Namboodiripad is issued on 27 Jan 2001

Timeline
1909: E M S Namboodiripad was born on March 19.
1934: Played an important role in founding the Congress Socialist Party; Elected the All India Joint Secretary of the Indian National Congress.
1939: Elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly.
1957: Sworn in as Kerala Chief Minister on April 5.
1959: His government was dismissed by central government.
1960: Became leader of opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly.
1962: Spoke on behalf of the left wing parties during the Sino – Indian War.
1964: Took sides with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) after division in the CPI.
1967: Elected Kerala’s Chief Minister for the second time.
1970: Became leader of opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly for the second time.
1998: Died on March 19 at the age of 89.