V. N. Vasavan

V. N. Vasavan was born on 9 August 1954 in Mattakkara, Kottayam district, Kerala. He began his political journey through student organisations, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), before becoming a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1974. Over decades, he progressed through party ranks, serving in roles such as district committee member, district secretariat member, and CPI(M) Kottayam District Secretary.

Before his current legislative tenure, Vasavan was involved in local governance and cooperative institutions, including leadership positions in the Pampady Grama Panchayat, Pampady Housing Cooperative Society, and Kottayam District Cooperative Bank. He also held roles in labour and workers’ organisations such as the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and was a cultural forum leader in Kottayam.

Vasavan was first elected as an MLA from the Kottayam constituency in 2006, serving until 2011. He later contested elections from Puthuppally and Kottayam before being elected in 2021 from the Ettumanoor Assembly constituency, marking a significant return to the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

On 20 May 2021, he was appointed Minister for Ports and Co-operation in the Government of Kerala under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. On 23 June 2024, his portfolio was expanded to include Devaswoms, entrusting him with the oversight of temple administration matters in the state.

As of 2026, he continues in these ministerial positions while serving as MLA from Ettumanoor.