K. M. Mani (Karingozhakkal Mani)

Political career and roles

Mani began his legislative career in the mid-1960s and became known for his steady electoral hold on the Pala area. Over the years he held several important portfolios at the state level. He served repeatedly as Minister, including responsibilities for Revenue and Finance, managing state budgets and fiscal matters on multiple occasions. His party, Kerala Congress (M), was a key coalition partner in United Democratic Front formations and Mani played a central role in alliance negotiations.

Characteristics and influence

Mani was known for pragmatic, constituency-oriented politics and long-term personal followings that sustained his party’s regional relevance. As a finance minister, he became associated with detailed involvement in budgetary planning and administrative affairs. His longevity made him the longest-serving MLA in Kerala’s recorded history, a fact often cited when discussing continuity in state-level leadership.

Personal life and health

In later years Mani experienced chronic respiratory illness, diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He passed away on 9 April 2019 in Kochi, aged 86. News accounts and tributes at the time highlighted both his political achievements and the controversies that accompany a long public career.

Legacy and notable facts

Mani’s impact is often discussed in terms of regional party organisation, coalition politics, and fiscal stewardship at the state level. Observers note his ability to retain local support across changing political cycles, and his career is frequently referenced in studies of Kerala’s post-independence political development.

Summary list

• Born: 30 January 1933.
• Legislative service: MLA from 1965 until 2019.
• Party: Kerala Congress (M), regional party leader.
• Key ministries: Revenue, Finance and other portfolios at various times.
• Died: 9 April 2019 in Kochi.