Kasargod: E. Chandrashekharan, 66, is one of the most popular communist leaders from Kasargod district with a clean image and leadership skills. At present the CPI state executive member and treasurer, Chandrashekaran won from Kanhangad for the second consecutive term by over 28,000 votes. In 2011, his margin was 12,178 votes.
Born as the son of Kasargod Perumbala P. Kunhiraman Nair and E. Parvati Amma, Chandrashekharan entered active politics through AIYF in 1969. He became the AIYF district secretary of undivided Kannur district in 1975 and the state joint secretary. In 1984, when Kasargod district was created, he became the CPI district assistant secretary. From 2005 onwards, he is CPI state secretariat member.
He also held the posts of KAMCO director, KSRTC stage regulatory committee member, state land reforms review committee member and BSNL Kannur SSA advisory committee member. In the last Assembly, he was the deputy leader of CPI parliamentary party and member in Assembly official language committee, petition committee and subjects committee.
CPI member Savithri is his wife. Only daughter Neeli Chandra is MPhil student at Kerala University Karyavattom campus. DSTU state president and CPI district committee member E.K. Nair, Mahila Sangham district president E. Malathi, E. Krishnan Nair and the late E. Ramachandran Nair are siblings.
Chandrashekharan who led many popular protests, including the protest to form Kasargod district, also faced police brutality. The MLA was recently attacked by alleged BJP workers while going around the constituency after the declaration of results.
