Kodikunnil Suresh (born 4 June 1962) is an Indian politician and Congress Working Committee Member (Special Invitee). He is the working-president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). He filed his nomination for Loksabha Speaker post as the candidate of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha Speaker Election.[1][2][3] He is the chief Whip of Congress Parliamentary Party in Loksabha.[4] He was a former Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment. He is a member of the Eighteenth Lok Sabha representing Mavelikara in Kerala.[5] He has been elected as the member of Lok Sabha for the eighth time.[6] He has also served as the Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Kodikunnil Suresh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| Assumed office 31 May 2009 | |
| Preceded by | C. S. Sujatha |
| Constituency | Mavelikara |
| In office 1999–2004 | |
| Preceded by | Chengara Surendran |
| Succeeded by | Chengara Surendran |
| Constituency | Adoor |
| In office 1989–1998 | |
| Preceded by | K. K. Kunhambu |
| Succeeded by | Chengara Surendran |
| Constituency | Adoor |
| Union Minister of State Labour and Employment | |
| In office 28 October 2012 – 26 May 2014 | |
| President | Pranab Mukherjee |
| Prime Minister | Manmohan Singh |
| Minister | |
| Preceded by | Harish Rawat |
| Succeeded by | Vishnudeo Sai |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 June 1962 Kodikunnil, Kerala, India |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | Bindu Suresh |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Bachelor of Laws |
| Alma mater | |
Early life and education
editHe was born in Kodikunnil, Thiruvananthapuram district to a poor family, as the youngest son of Kunjan and Thankamma.[7] He did his pre-degree from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram and graduation in LL.B from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.[7]
Political career
editHe was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1989 and thereafter he won consecutively in the 1991, 1996 and 1999 General Elections to the Lok Sabha from Adoor constituency for four straight terms.
However he was defeated in the 1998 and 2004 general elections.
Kodikunnil served as the member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee and member of All India Congress Committee.[7] He also serves as Kerala Pradesh congress committee General Secretary, DCC President Kollam.[8]
In the general election to the Lok Sabha in 2009, he contested from Mavelikara Lok Sabha constituency and defeated R. S. Anil of the Communist Party of India with a margin of 48,048 votes.[9]
On 19 September 2018, he was appointed as working-president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
He continued to win in 2009 Indian general election, 2014 Indian general election, 2019 Indian general election and 2024 Indian general election from Mavelikara Lok Sabha constituency[10] and is currently the longest serving Lok Sabha MP as he has remained MP for 29 years, winning the elections 8 times. The position of pro tem speaker, assigned for administering the oath taking ceremony of the elected MPs, is traditionally given to the senior most member. However, this tradition was broken in 2024 after Bhartruhari Mahtab was elected as pro tem speaker. In response, the INDIA alliance nominated K. Suresh as candidate for post of speaker, triggering an election for the post for the first time since independence.[11][12][13]
Controversies
editHis victory in the 2009 general election was declared void by the Kerala High Court over the allegation that his caste certificate was fake, and that he was a Christian. This verdict was later reversed by the Supreme Court of India.[14][15]
References
edit- ^ The Hindu (25 June 2024). "Lok Sabha Speaker election: Kodikunnil Suresh of Congress files nomination as INDIA bloc candidate". Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Congress' Kodikunnil Suresh files nomination for LS Speaker post, forcing first-ever contest since 1946". Onmanorama. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "NDA candidate Om Birla elected Speaker of Lok Sabha for 2nd consecutive term". Mathrubhumi. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
New Delhi: Om Birla, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate and Member of Parliament from Kota, Rajasthan, was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The motion, moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was adopted through a voice vote amidst resounding 'Ayes' and 'Noes' echoing in the house. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab officially declared Om Birla as the Speaker of the lower house. Interestingly, the opposition, which had nominated K Suresh as the candidate for the INDIA bloc, chose not to press for a division vote.
- ^ "Congress retains Gaurav Gogoi, K Suresh as Lok Sabha deputy leader, chief whip". Hindustan Times. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "Rediff On The NeT: Polling Booth: Election' 96: Kerala/Adoor". Rediff.com. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (21 June 2024). "Kerala CM, Oppn. flay Centre for ignoring Kodikunnil for pro tem Speaker post". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c "Suresh Kodikunnil | National Portal of India". www.india.gov.in. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ Kodikunnil to be Kollam DCC working president
- ^ "Kodikunnil Suresh wins in Mavelikkara". Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
- ^ कांग्रेस सांसद के.सुरेश बनाए गए प्रोटेम स्पीकर, 18वीं लोकसभा के लिए नवनिर्वाचित सांसदों को दिलाएंगे शपथ!
- ^ "Om Birla vs K Suresh: Lok Sabha Speaker election today. Here's how the numbers stack up".
- ^ "NDA's Birla vs INDIA bloc's Suresh in rare battle for Speaker post; CBI set to seek Kejriwal custody".
- ^ "Om Birla vs K. Suresh: Lok Sabha set for first Speaker election in decades".
- ^ "Apex court upholds Kodikunnil Suresh's election". The Hindu. 13 May 2011. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- ^ "Kodikunnil Suresh @ J.Monian vs N.S.Saji Kumar". Supreme Court Records. Indian Kanoon. Retrieved 28 October 2012.