The political landscape of Kerala lost a veteran figure with the passing of senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and former Public Works Department (PWD) minister, V K Ebrahim Kunju. He was 73 years old. The end came on Tuesday afternoon at a private hospital in Kochi, following a prolonged health struggle.
A Prolonged Battle with Illness
V K Ebrahim Kunju had been fighting multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, for a long time. His condition deteriorated sharply last Sunday, necessitating immediate hospitalization. A medical team, headed by noted oncologist Dr. V P Gangadharan, provided treatment. Despite their efforts, Kunju could not be saved. He passed away at 3:40 PM, with the final complications attributed to heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
A Stalwart's Political Journey
Born on May 20, 1952, in Kongorapally, Aluva, Ebrahim Kunju's entry into public life began with the Muslim Students Federation (MSF). His dedication and skill propelled him through the ranks of the IUML, where he became an indispensable leader in the Ernakulam district. He served as the party's general secretary for an impressive 25 years and later ascended to the position of president.
His electoral career was marked by consistent success. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly four times. He first won from the Mattancherry constituency in 2001 and retained it in 2006. After constituency delimitation, he shifted to Kalamassery, securing victories in both the 2011 and 2016 state elections.
Ebrahim Kunju's ministerial tenure saw him handle significant portfolios. He first joined the Oommen Chandy cabinet in 2005 as the Minister for Industries and Social Welfare. Later, from 2011 to 2016, he served as the PWD Minister. In this role, he was at the helm of numerous major infrastructure projects across Kerala.
Beyond Politics: A Multifaceted Legacy
His influence extended beyond the assembly halls. He was actively involved in trade union activities through the Swathanthra Thozhilali Union (STU). He also contributed to academic and development bodies, serving on the syndicates of Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). Furthermore, he held a directorship at the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL).
The latter phase of his career was, however, shadowed by the Palarivattom flyover scam controversy. This led to a legal battle and his arrest in 2020. Despite the turbulence, he remained a respected strategist within the IUML and a powerful voice for the Muslim community in central Kerala.
He is survived by his wife, Nadeera, and three sons. One of them, V E Abdul Gafoor, has entered politics, continuing his father's legacy. The public paid their last respects to the leader as his body was kept at Kalamassery from 6 PM. It was later taken to his family home in Aluva. His final rites were performed on Wednesday at the Alangad Juma Masjid.
The demise of V K Ebrahim Kunju marks the closing of a significant chapter in Kerala's political history, particularly for the IUML and the UDF coalition. His decades of service, interspersed with both achievements and controversies, cemented his place as a prominent and influential figure from the region.
