KC Venugopal is an Indian politician affiliated with the Indian National Congress party. He was a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan. He has previously served as an MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and a Member of Parliament in the lower house (Lok Sabha). He held several ministerial positions in the Kerala state government and the Indian UPA government.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
KC Venugopal was born on Monday, 4 February 1963 (age 60 years; as of 2023) in Kandonthar, Payyannur, Kannur district, Kerala, India. Their zodiac sign is Aquarius. He earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree (1984) from Payyannur College, located in Kannur district, and later, a Master of Science (MSc) degree (1986) in Mathematics from the University of Calicut, located in Calicut. , Kerala. Later he also completed LLB course. Additionally, during his college days, Venugopal actively participated in volleyball. She represented both Payyanur College and Calicut University in volleyball matches. His political journey started from the student movement of the Indian National Congress. He held various positions within the Kerala Students Union (KSU), starting as a unit president and later serving as Thaliparamba Taluk Treasurer, Kannur District Secretary, State Vice President and State Treasurer. In 1988, he was elected as the State President of KSU and served in this role for five years. During his time at Payyannur College, he was the University Union Councilor for four consecutive years. Additionally, he also served as a Kerala University Senate member. From 1993 to 2000, Venugopal held the post of Youth Congress State President.
KC Venugopal (centre) during his early political days
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 10″
Weight (Approx): 75 kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: black
Family
He was born in a Hindu Nair family.
parents and siblings
His father’s name was Kunji Krishnan Nambi and his mother’s name was Janaki Amma. He has a sister.
KC Venugopal’s father is Kunji Krishnan Nambi and mother is Janaki Amma.
KC Venugopal with his mother Janaki Amma
wife and children
His wife’s name is Asha Venugopal who is an assistant professor and head of the English department at VTM NSS College in Dhanuvachpuram, Thiruvananthapuram. They have a daughter named Parvati Venugopal and a son named Gokul Venugopal who is a content creator.
KC Venugopal’s wife Asha Venugopal
KC Venugopal has a son, Gokul Venugopal, and a daughter, Parvati Venugopal.
Address
Rajivam, Pazhavidu PO, Alappuzha, District Kerala, Pin Code- 695004
Signature
livelihood
Early years in politics
He rose to fame in 1991 when his mentor and then Chief Minister of Kerala Karunakaran secured a Lok Sabha ticket for him from Kasaragod. At the age of 28, while being the president of the student wing of the party, he lost the election by a narrow margin. In 1995, Venugopal publicly disagreed with Karunakaran on suspending Arjun Singh from his political party. Venugopal openly supported Singh, even though Karunakaran and others in his party had different opinions. This created a rift between Venugopal and Karunakaran.
KC Venugopal with his guru Karunakaran
When AK Antony replaced Karunakaran as Chief Minister in March 1995, Venugopal had already distanced himself and joined a group of young leaders, known as the “third group”. Ramesh Chennithala, G. This group, led by Karthikeyan and MI Shanavas, considered themselves reformists or reformists (called “Thiruthalavadi” in Malayalam). His aim was to challenge the influence and control of both Karunakaran and Antony within the party.
Of. KC Venugopal with Karunakaran and AK Antony
Journey to become a prominent member of Congress
He became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the first time in 1996, and he successfully won the seat again in 2001 and 2006. In 2004, he became a minister in the Oommen Chandy-led government.
KC Venugopal with Rajiv Gandhi
By 2009, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha. Within two years, he was appointed as the Union Minister of State, a post that was seen as a way to appease his Nair community.
KC Venugopal speaking in the Lok Sabha during his tenure as MP
During the second term of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government between 2009 and 2014, Venugopal served as the Minister of State for Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Power. In 2014, despite the poor performance of the Congress party across the country, Venugopal was among the few MPs from Kerala who won their seats and was appointed as the party whip.
KC Venugopal speaking at a political rally
On 29 April 2017, he was appointed General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). According to his close aides, he successfully convinced Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad, Kerala during the 2019 elections. Despite losing his stronghold Amethi, Rahul won from Kerala, indicating that Venugopal has accurately predicted the political environment in Uttar Pradesh.
KC Venugopal with Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo visit
He also worked as in-charge of the Congress war room during several elections. On 19 June 2020, he was elected as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. Under his leadership, the Congress won a thumping majority in the Karnataka state elections in 2023, winning 135 out of 224 seats.
KC Venugopal with veteran Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh.
Controversy
sexual abuse allegations
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned him in 2022 in connection with alleged sexual exploitation in the 2012 solar scam case in Kerala. In 2013, the main accused, who duped people by promising solar solutions and stake in solar power projects, had written a letter to Kerala’s top police officer, including Hibi Eden (then MLA and now MP), KC Venugopal, former Chief Minister Oommen Was accused. Chandy, former minister AP Anil Kumar, Congress MP Adoor Prakash and BJP leader AP Abdullah Kutty are accused of sexually exploiting her. Initially, the case was reported to the local police, but later, in August 2021, the CBI took over the investigation based on the recommendation of the state government. The case was transferred to the CBI after the accused expressed dissatisfaction over the local police investigation in a letter to the Chief Minister.
car collection
He has Toyota Innova and Toyota Etios.
Income
His income in the financial year 2018-19 was Rs 9 lakh.
property and properties
movable property
- Bank Deposit: Rs. 3,94,541
- Motor Vehicle: Rs. 18,08,140
Immovable property
- Non-agricultural land: Rs. 32,00,000
- Residential Building: Rs. 3,00,000
Note: The given estimate of movable and immovable assets is as per the year 2019. It does not include property owned by his wife and dependents (minors).
net worth
Venugopal’s net worth for the financial year 2018-19 was estimated to be Rs. 2.7 crores. This does not include the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Favorite
Facts/General Knowledge
- He likes reading, writing and listening to music in his spare time.
- In an interview, he described Rahul Gandhi as the most handsome MP (Member of Parliament), Hema Malini as the most beautiful actress, Arun Jaitley as a good speaker and Venkaiah Naidu as the person who gets angry on small things.
- His father wanted him to become an engineer or a government employee because he was very good at studies; However, his mother supported him in becoming a politician.
- Whenever he gets time from his political campaigns he likes to sing and watch movies with his wife.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn