V. K. Ebrahimkunju

V. K. Ebrahim Kunju is an Indian politician, who was the former Minister for Public Works of the Government of Kerala. He represented the Kalamassery constituency in Kerala from 2011 to 2021.[1]

Ebrahim Kunju
Minister for Public Works
In office
18 May 2011 – 20 May 2016
Preceded byM. Vijayakumar
Succeeded byG. Sudhakaran
Minister for Industries and Social Welfare
In office
2005–2006
Preceded byP. K. Kunhalikutty
Succeeded byElamaram Kareem
Member of Legislative Assembly
In office
2011–2021
ConstituencyKalamassery (State Assembly constituency)
In office
2001–2011
ConstituencyMattancherry
Personal details
BornCherayam, Kalamaserry, Ernakulam, Kerala
Political partyIndian Union Muslim League
ChildrenAdv.Abdul Gafoor, Abbas, Anwar
Residence(s)Crescent Gardens, Aluva

Life and Family

V. K. Ebrahim Kunju was born at Kongorpilly, Aluva on 20 May 1952 to V. U. Khader and Chithumma.[2] His wife is Nadeera and they have three children Adv. Abdul Gafoor, Abbas and Anwar.[3] He has qualified 10th standard as schooling.[2] His son V E Abdul Gafoor contested from Kalamassery Constituency to Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2021 polls.[4]

Political career

V. K. Ebrahim Kunju was the Minister for Industry and Social Welfare in the previous UDF Ministry. He entered politics through Muslim Students Federation and Muslim Youth League. He has served as the chairman and chief executive of Forest Industries (Travancore) Ltd.[1]

He was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 elections.[3] In 2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, V. K. Ebrahim Kunju represented Mattancherry constituency after defeating M C Josephine of CPI(M). In 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, Ebrahim Kunju represented Kalamassery assembly constituency.[5]

Following the resignation of Muslim League leader, P.K. Kunhalikutty the then Minister for Industries on 4 January 2005, after Ice cream parlour sex scandal, V. K.Ebrahim Kunju was chosen to represent party inside the UDF cabinet. Subsequently, he assumed office on 6 January 2005 as the Minister for Industries and Social Welfare.[6] He became the Minister for Public Works from 23 May 2011 to 20 May 2016 in the second Oommen Chandy ministry.[3]

In addition to his legislative responsibilities, V. K. Ebrahim Kunju worked in various organizations in Kerala.[1]

Name of OrganizationDesignation
Kerala Muslim Educational Associations (KMEA)Vice President
CH Mohammed Koya College of Engineering and Technology, EdathalaChairman
Swathanthra Thozhilali union (STU), Eloor industrial AreaChairman
Technical Employees Association TELK, AngamalyChairperson
Traco cables Staff and Workers Organisation, IrumpanamChairperson
KEL Employees Union, mamalaChairperson
TCC Employees union, UdyogamandalChairperson
Thiruvalla Sugars UnionChairperson
Cochin university of Science and TechnologySyndicate Member
Goshree islands Development Authority (G.I.D.A) memberExecutive Committee
Al Manar Public SchoolSecretary
S.T.UState Vice President
Officers Forum,TCC Employees union, UdyogamandalPresident
Traco Employees Organisation, ThiruvallaChairperson
Binani Zinc Workers Federation GeneralSecretary
G.T.N Workers AssociationChairperson
District Board of the Kerala Grandhasala Sanghom, ErnakulamDistrict Development Council.
Committee on Government Assurances (constituted on 25 January 2019)Chairman[7]

Minister of Public Works

V. K. Ebrahim Kunju was the Minister of Public Works during the period from 18 May 2011 to 20 May 2016. Oommen Chandy was the chief minister during the period.

Achievements

During the period, as per the list published by Oommen Chandy, 227 bridges worth Rs. 1600 crore were built across Kerala under the Ministership of V. K. Ebrahim Kunju.[8] Such huge development works are unprecedented and cover all districts of Kerala as listed below.

New Bridges in each District (2011-2016)
DistrictNo. of BridgesDistrictNo. of Bridges
Trivandrum9Kollam16
Pathanamthitta17Alapuzha16
Kottayam10Ernakulam28
Idukki17Trissur9
Palakkad12Wayanad9
Kozhikode24Kannur20
Malappuram20kasaragod16

A number of State Highways were constructed including all regions of the state under Second Chandy ministry, and the final decision to widen the National highways of the state to 45 m was taken in 2014.[9]

Cancer Diagnosis

V. K. Ebrahim Kunju was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer and underwent chemotherapy. As per medical reports he needs further treatment. Doctors added that he has serious health issues and requires continuous medical care.[10][11]

Awards

V. K. Ebrahim Kunju was awarded many accolades for his exemplary development works as Minister.

Name of AwardAwarder
Best Minister in Kerala State Cabinet 2012.Deccan Chronicle (English Daily).
Best Minister of 2013.Keli Kerala.
Minister of Excellence AwardInternational Road Federation, USA.
Global Road Achievement Award 2015Indo American Press Club.
Kerala Ratna Puraskaram.Keraleeyam U.K. Chapter of Global Kerala initiative.
Palakkad development Award.Palakkad Development Samithy.

Controversies

Palarivattom Flyover Scam

Money Laundering
  • 15 November 2019: The Kerala High Court ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the case involving allegations of money laundering against former PWD minister VK Ebrahim Kunju.[21][22][23] He is accused of depositing Rs 10 crores into the bank accounts of IUML's mouthpiece Chandrika when high-value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were banned by the central government in November 2016.[21]
  • 29 May 2020: Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau interrogated V K Ebrahim Kunju in connection with money laundering case.[22][24][25] He entered into controversy after he offered Gireesh Babu, the complainant Rs 5 lakh to withdraw the complaint.[26][27]

Assembly polls in Kerala will be held on 6 April as declared by Election Commission.[28] Vigilance probe team plans to submit chargesheet before Kerala Assembly Polls.[29]

References
  1. "Members - Kerala Legislature". www.niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  2. "V.K.Ebrahim Kunju(ML):Constituency- KALAMASSERY(ERNAKULAM) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  3. "V. K. EBRAHIM KUNJU" (PDF). Niyamasabha. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. "Kunju omitted. Son Gafoor is UDF pick in Kalamassery". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. "Ernakulam (Kerala) Lok Sabha Election Results 2019: Winner, Runner-Up, Live Counting on Election Commission of India ECI at eciresults.nic.in". The Indian Express. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  6. "History of Kerala Legislature - 2001 Cabinet". Niyamasabha. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  7. "Committees - Kerala Legislature". www.niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  8. "Chandy challenges LDF to disclose list of bridges constructed during their tenure". Mathrubhumi name="227 Bridges". Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  9. Philip, Shaju (24 October 2014). "Kerala government finally decides to develop national highways at 45-meter width". Indian Express.
  10. "Ebrahim kunju is diagnosed with cancer". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  11. "Medical report says Ebrahim Kunju's health weak". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  12. "Ebrahim Kunju is 12th minister in previous UDF govt to face graft charges". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  13. "ED can continue probe against Ibrahim Kunju: Kerala HC". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  14. "Fresh probe against Ebrahim Kunju". The Hindu. 20 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  15. "VACB opens probe against Kunju". The Hindu. 21 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  16. "Palarivattom scam: Kerala Governor issues nod to prosecute MLA Ebrahim Kunju". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  17. "Palarivattom flyover scam: Kerala Governor seeks AG's advice to prosecute VK Ebrahim Kunju". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  18. "Flyover graft: VACB questions V K Ebrahim Kunju again | Thiruvananthapuram News". The Times of India. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  19. "Vigilance and anti-corruption bureau raid Kerala former minister Ibrahim Kunju's house". Deccan Herald. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  20. "Tremendous pressure on Vigilance to prevent arrest of Ebrahim Kunju". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  21. "Kerala HC asks ED to probe black money allegations against former PWD minister". The Indian Express. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  22. "Money laundering case: Vigilance questions former minister Ebrahim Kunju". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  23. "Enforcement Directorate books former Kerala minister Ebrahim Kunju for money laundering". The News Minute. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  24. ANI. "ED, Vigilance can continue probe against ex-PWD Minister Ebrahim Kunju: Kerala HC". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  25. "Notice served on Ibrahim Kunju for interrogation". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  26. "Money laundering case: Ebrahim Kunju offered Rs 5 lakh to withdraw plaint, alleges complainant". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  27. Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Ebrahim Kunju offered money to withdraw black money case, alleges complainant". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  28. "Kerala Assembly Elections to Be Held on April 6, Declares EC". news18. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  29. "Probe team to submit charge sheet before polls". news18. Retrieved 26 February 2021.

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