A long innings in politics

Hailing from Chengannur, Saji Cherian, 53, was elected Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] district secretary in 2015. He was unanimously re-elected to the post for a second three-year term in January, 2018.

Mr. Cherian stepped into politics through the Students Federation of India in the late 1970s. He later went on to become Chengannur taluk committee member of the CPI(M) in 1990. In 2001, Mr. Cherian was elected Chengannur area secretary of the party. He was also nominated to the party district secretariat in the same year.

Aside from holding party positions, he was elected to the district panchayat from Mulakuzha division.

Mr. Cherian had fought the 2006 Assembly election from Chengannur, but lost to P.C. Vishnunath of the Congress.

He also held positions in the Democratic Youth Federation of India, District Cooperative Bank, University of Kerala, District Sports Council, and so on. He is also active in the palliative care movement.