M. B. Rajesh (born 12 March 1971) is an Indian politician who has served as the State Minister for Local Self-Governments and Excise of Kerala, since 2022 and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, since 2024.[1][2] He previously served as the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2021 to 2022 and previously represented Thrithala State Assembly Constituency in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2021 to 2026. He was previously a Member of the Lok Sabha representing Palakkad Lok Sabha Constituency from 2009 to 2019.
M. B. Rajesh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Local Self Governments and Excise, Government of Kerala | |
| In office 6 September 2022 – 4 May 2026 | |
Governor | Arif Mohammad Khan |
Chief Minister | Pinarayi Vijayan |
| |
| Preceded by | M.V. Govindan (Local Self Government Department & Excise) (Parliamentary Affairs) |
| 23rd Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 25 May 2021 – 3 September 2022 | |
| Preceded by | P. Sreeramakrishnan |
| Succeeded by | A N Shamseer |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 2021 – 2026 | |
| Preceded by | V. T. Balram |
| Succeeded by | V. T. Balram |
| Constituency | Thrithala |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 31 May 2009 – 23 May 2019 | |
| Preceded by | N. N. Krishnadas |
| Succeeded by | V. K. Sreekandan |
| Constituency | Palakkad |
| Minister of Parliamentary Affairs | |
| Assumed office 23 June 2024 | |
| Preceded by | K. Radhakrishnan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 March 1971 Jalandhar, Punjab, India |
| Party | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| Spouse | Ninitha Kanicheri |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
| Education | |
Life
editRajesh was born in Jalandhar, Punjab on 12 March 1971 as the eldest son of Balakrishnan Nair and M. K. Remani. A native of Kayiliad, Chalavara, Shornur in Palakkad, Rajesh graduated in law from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram and post-graduated in economics from NSS College, Ottapalam. By profession, he is an advocate. Rajesh is married to Ninitha Kanicheri, who is an assistant professor at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.
Political career
editRajesh started his political life while he was a school student by organizing the Students' Federation of India at the school level. Later he became the President and then Secretary of SFI Kerala State Committee. He also held positions including the Joint Secretary and Vice President of SFI Central Committee. After his student life, he was active in the DYFI where he became the National President. Rajesh was elected MLA in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly and was elected to role of speaker of the assembly from 2021 to 2022 and later served as the Minister for Local Self Government, Parliamentary Affairs and Excise for the Government of Kerala from 2022 till 2026. Rajesh is now a member of the Kerala state committee of CPI(M). He was defeated by V. T. Balram of the Indian National Congress in the 2026 assembly elections in Thrithala legislative constituency in Palakkad district with a margin of 8,385 votes.
Controversies
editIn February 2021, the appointment of M. B. Rajesh's wife, R. Ninitha Kanicheri, as Assistant Professor in the Department of Malayalam at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit became the subject of controversy.[3][4] Professor Umar Tharamel, one of the subject experts on the interview board, alleged that the final rank list had been altered and that candidates with higher academic credentials were overlooked.[3] Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, accused the university authorities of favoritism and nepotism.[4] Rajesh denied the allegations and stated that the appointment had been made through a lawful and transparent selection process. He described the controversy as politically motivated.[5]
- ↑ "CPI(M)'s MB Rajesh snatches Thrithala from Congress's VT Balram". Sreedevi Jayarajan. The NewsMinute. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ↑ "വകുപ്പുകളിലും മാറ്റം; ദേവസ്വം വാസവന്, പാർലമെന്ററികാര്യം എംബി രാജേഷിന്". Mathrubhumi. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- 1 2 "Row over MB Rajesh's wife's appointment at Kalady Sanskrit University". Onmanorama. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Kerala: Appointment of MB Rajesh's wife triggers controversy". The Indian Express. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ "MB Rajesh denies allegations over wife's appointment". The Hindu. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
In 2025, Rajesh was involved in the controversy surrounding the Kerala government's decision to grant preliminary sanction to Oasis Commercial Private Limited to establish an ethanol, distillery and brewery project at Elappully in Palakkad district. The project was opposed by local residents and opposition parties, who raised concerns regarding water availability, environmental impact and alleged procedural irregularities. As Excise Minister, Rajesh defended the decision, stating that the project would not affect local drinking water supplies and that all statutory procedures had been followed. In December 2025, the Kerala High Court quashed the government order granting preliminary sanction to the project.[1][2]
Publications
editThe books published by Rajesh include
- "History Will Impeach Them" (Charithram Avare Kuttakarennu Vilikkum) collection of articles on education, published in Malayalam, 2002
- "Agolavatkaranathinate Virudha Lokangal" (Contradictory Worlds of Globalisation) collection of articles in Malayalam on globalisation, 2008;
- "Agola Sampathika Prathisandhiyude Manangal", Compilation of articles on Global Recession, 2008, Malayalam
References
edit- ↑ "MB Rajesh dismisses allegations over Elappully brewery project, says no threat to drinking water". Onmanorama. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ "Kerala High Court Quashes Preliminary Sanction Granted To Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd For Elappully Brewery Project". Live Law. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2026.