The political landscape of Kerala has lost a significant figure with the passing of veteran CPI(M) leader M. M. Lawrence at the age of 95. His death on September 21, 2024, was reported by party members, and he had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital for the past month.
Born on June 15, 1929, in Mulavukad near Ernakulam, Lawrence’s journey began in a tumultuous time in India. A passionate advocate for independence, he made his mark early on, his activism even led to his expulsion from St. Albert’s School for arriving with a tricolor flag tucked in his pocket. Undeterred, he continued his studies at the Ernakulam Municipal Islamic School and completed his formal education after the 10th grade.
Lawrence’s political career began in earnest when he joined the Communist Party in 1946. His dedication to the party and its ideals saw him rise through the ranks. He served as a member of the CPI(M) Central Committee until 1998, played a crucial role as the convener of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), and represented the Idukki constituency in the Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1984.
Even after his tenure at the central level, Lawrence remained committed to local politics in the Ernakulam district. He took on leadership roles in various organizations, including serving as the leader of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and as president of the Cochin Port Labour Union.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed condolences on Lawrence’s passing, recognizing the indelible impact he had on both his party and the broader political scene in Kerala.
As we reflect on the life of M. M. Lawrence, we remember not just his political contributions but also his unwavering commitment to social justice and workers’ rights. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of activists and leaders in the region.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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