C. H. Mohammed Koya

C. H. Mohammed Koya
File:C. H. Mohammed Koya.jpg
Chief Minister of Kerala
In office 12 October 1979 to 1 December 1979
Preceded by	P. K. Vasudevan Nair
Succeeded by	E. K. Nayanar
Constituency	Tanur
Personal details
Born	(1927-07-15)15 July 1927 Atholi, Calicut, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	28 September 1983(1983-09-28) (aged 56) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Political party	Indian Union Muslim League
Spouse	Amina Koya
Children	2 daughters and a son (Dr. M. K. Muneer)
As of 2 November, 2007 Source: Govt. of Kerala

C.H. Mohammed Koya (born at Atholi, Calicut 15 July 1927 - 28 September 1983) was an Indian politician and the tenth Chief Minister of Kerala. He served from 12 October 1979 to 1 December 1979.

Political career

He experienced his first taste of politics right from his high school. He was actively involved with the IUML. In his early years, he served a short term in the Kurumpranad District Muslim League committee and later in the Municipal Office in Calicut.

In 1951, he was elected to the National Executive of the IUML and shortly afterwards, was elected the Councilor of Calicut Municipality. C.H.Mohammed Koya defeated K.P.Kuttikrishnan Nair (Kuttiettan - as he was popularly known) of the Indian National Congress. The latter had earlier defeated two of the most popular politicians in Kerala, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and Seethi Sahib earning him the nickname the Giant-Killer from Jawaharlal Nehru.

His chief mentor, both in his personal life and political career was Syed Abdur Rahman Bafaqi Thangal, to whom he was indebted for all his achievements.

Mohammed Koya was elected into the Kerala Legislative Assembly from the Tanur constituency in 1960. On 9 June 1961 he became the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly after the sudden demise of K.M.Seethi Sahib. Despite being one of the youngest members in the Assembly, he was known for his charisma and the flair with which he discharged his duties.

When Muslim league quit the political alliance at State level, Mohammed Koya resigned Speakership and contested the ensuing Parliamentary Poll successfully from the Calicut constituency . Again, in the State Assembly elections held in 1967, he won by a vast majority, contesting from Mankada constituency. He was the Education Minister in the cabinet headed by Shri E.M.S. Namboodiripad. He continued to retain his Education portfolio in succeeding ministries headed by C. Achutha Menon, K. Karunakaran, A.K. Antony till the Ninth ministry headed by P.K. Vasudevan Nair. As Education minister he was instrumental in formulating many plans that has helped Kerala reach the forefront in the education sector in India.

On 12 October 1979 C.H.Mohammed Koya became the Chief Minister of Kerala and his term continued to 1 December 1979. He was the Deputy Chief Minister in the next United Democratic Front(UDF) ministry headed by K.Karunakaran. Continuing in the seat even after the ministry was re-constituted in 1982, after the General Election, Shri. Koya stayed there till his untimely demise in the ensuing year.

Koya died on 28 September at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 1983.

The C H Mohammed Koya Library in the campus of the University of Calicut

Muneer, son of C.H.Muhammed koya

Legacy

• The C H Mohammed Koya Library in the campus of the University of Calicut and the Haji C.H. Mohamed Koya College for Advanced Studies under the University of Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram are named in his honour.
• The C H Mohammed Koya Memorial National Journalism award, jointly instituted by the C H Mohammed Koya Trust and The Calicut Press Club is also instituted in his honour.
• Dr. M. K. Muneer, son of C.H.Mohammed Koya is a leading Kerala politician from Indian Muslim League.He is currently a member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Kozhikode South constituency.

External links

• Speakers & Deputy Speakers Book - Kerala Legislative Assembly