V. K. Ebrahimkunju


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

Background

V. K. Ebrahim Kunju was born at Kongorpilly, Aluva on 20 May 1952, to V. U. Khader and Chithumma. His wife was Nadeera and they had three children Adv. Abdul Gafoor, Abbas and Anoob. He qualified 10th standard in schooling. His son V E Abdul Gafoor contested from Kalamassery Constituency to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in the 2021 polls.

Political career

Ebrahimkunju was the Minister for Industry and Social Welfare in the previous UDF Ministry. He entered politics through the Muslim Students Federation and the Muslim Youth League. He served as the chairman and chief executive of Forest Industries Ltd.
He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in the 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 elections. In the 2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, V. K. Ebrahim Kunju represented Mattancherry constituency after defeating M C Josephine of the CPI. In the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, Ebrahim Kunju represented Kalamassery assembly constituency.
Following the resignation of Muslim League leader, P.K. Kunhalikutty the then Minister for Industries on 4 January 2005, after the ice cream parlour sex scandal, V. K.Ebrahim Kunju was chosen to represent the party inside the UDF cabinet. Subsequently, he assumed office on 6 January 2005 as the Minister for Industries and Social Welfare. He became the Minister for Public Works from 23 May 2011 to 20 May 2016 in the second Oommen Chandy ministry.
In addition to his legislative responsibilities, V. K. Ebrahim Kunju worked in various organizations in Kerala.
Name of OrganizationDesignation
Kerala Muslim Educational Associations Vice President
CH Mohammed Koya College of Engineering and Technology, EdathalaChairman
Swathanthra Thozhilali union, 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 memberExecutive Committee
Al Manar Public School Secretary
S.T.U State 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 Chairman

Minister of Public Works

Ebrahimkunju 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 Ebrahimkunju. Such huge development works are unprecedented and cover all districts of Kerala as listed below.
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.

Illness and death

Ebrahimkunju was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November 2020 and underwent chemotherapy. As per medical reports he needed further treatment. Doctors added that he had serious health issues and required continuous medical care.
Ebrahimkunju died at Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi, on 6 January 2026, at the age of 73. He had been undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, heart failure and chronic kidney disease before his death. He had been admitted to hospital on 4 January following health-related complications, according to hospital authorities.

Awards

Ebrahimkunju was awarded many accolades for his exemplary development works as Minister.
Name of AwardAwarder
Best Minister in Kerala State Cabinet 2012.Deccan Chronicle.
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

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