O. R. Kelu
O. R. Kelu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, Government of Kerala | |
| In office 23 June 2024 – 23 May 2026 | |
| Chief MInister | Pinarayi Vijayan |
| Departments | |
| Preceded by | K. Radhakrishnan |
| Succeeded by | K. A. Thulasi |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 2 June 2016 – 23 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | P. K. Jayalakshmi |
| Succeeded by | Usha Vijayan |
| Constituency | Mananthavady |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 August 1970[2] |
| Party | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| Spouse | Santha P. K. |
| Children | 2 |
O. R. Kelu (born 2 August 1970) is an Indian politician who served as the Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes in the Second Pinarayi Vijayan government. He served as the MLA from Mananthavady, Wayanad, Kerala, for two terms until 2026.[3][4][5]
Personal life
Son of Raman and Ammu, he was born at Wayanad on 2 August 1970. Kelu is from Kurichiya tribe.[3] Kelu is a farmer by profession. He is married to Santha P. K. and has two daughters. He is a SSLC dropout.[6][7] He was once a daily wage worker.[6]
Political career
He served as a member of the Thirunelly Grama Panchayat for five years and later as its President for ten years. He was also a member of the Mananthavady Block Panchayat for two years. He was inducted into the Council of Ministers in the second Pinarayi Vijayan ministry after K. Radhakrishnan resigned, and was appointed as the Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes. He was elected to the 18th Lok Sabha from Alathur. He was the first CPI(M) minister from Wayanad.[3] [6]
| Year | Constituency | Closest Rival | Majority
(Votes) |
Won/Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Mananthavady | P. K. Jayalakshmi (INC) | 1,307 | Won[8] |
| 2021 | Mananthavady | P. K. Jayalakshmi (INC) | 9,282 | Won[9] |
| 2026 | Mananthavady | Usha Vijayan (INC) | 10,543 | Lost |
References
- ↑ "Council of Ministers". www.niyamasabha.nic.in. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ "O. R. KELU" (PDF). Niyamasabha. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- 1 2 3 "OR Kelu to become Kerala's Minister for Welfare of SC, ST; second from Kurichya community". Onmanorama. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ↑ "Kerala Assembly Election 2016 Results". Kerala Legislature. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ↑ "Kerala Assembly Election Results 2026: Full list of winners". The Hindu. 6 May 2026. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "SSLC dropout, daily wage worker, now a state minister: O R Kelu's remarkable journey". Onmanorama. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ↑ "Members - Kerala Legislature". www.niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ↑ "Mananthavady Assembly Election 2016 Latest News & Results". India.com. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ↑ "Mananthavady Election Result 2021 LIVE: Mananthavady MLA Election Result & Vote Share - Oneindia". www.oneindia.com. Retrieved 9 May 2021.