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| P. A. Mohammed Riyas, CPI (M) |
P. A. Mohammed Riyas is a prominent Indian politician and a rising star in Kerala’s political landscape. Currently serving as the Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) and Tourism in the Government of Kerala, he represents the Beypore constituency in Kozhikode district in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly. A staunch member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and former All India President of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Riyas has built a reputation as a youth leader turned policymaker. His journey from student activism to a cabinet position under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his father-in-law, is a testament to his dedication and political acumen. This biography delves into Mohammed Riyas’s life, career, family, and impact as Kerala’s PWD and Tourism Minister.
Early Life: Roots in Kozhikode
Born on July 16, 1976, in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala, P. A. Mohammed Riyas grew up in a family with a blend of public service and political influence. His father, P. M. Abdul Khader, was a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who served with distinction, instilling in Riyas a sense of discipline and commitment to society. His mother, K. M. Ayishabi, provided a nurturing environment that encouraged his early interest in social issues. Riyas’s family ties extend to political legacy—his uncle, P. K. Moidheenkutty Sahib, was a freedom fighter, former president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), and a member of the Madras Assembly in 1937, adding depth to his political heritage.
Riyas’s formative years in Kozhikode shaped his worldview. He attended St. Joseph’s Boys’ Higher Secondary School, where his leadership skills emerged early. At age 13, in the eighth standard, he became the president of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) unit committee at his school, marking the beginning of his political journey. The following year, he served as the unit secretary, displaying an innate ability to organize and lead.
Education: A Foundation in Commerce and Law
Mohammed Riyas pursued his higher education at Farook College, Kozhikode, where he completed his pre-degree and later earned a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree. His time at Farook College was pivotal—he was elected as the first-year pre-degree representative, and by 1994, he became the unit president of the SFI committee. His activism peaked when he won the post of University Union Councillor at Calicut University in 1996–97, followed by a stint as a university union office-bearer in 1998.
Seeking to broaden his skills, Riyas enrolled at the Government Law College, Kozhikode, where he secured a law degree (LLB). This legal education equipped him with the analytical tools to navigate complex political and administrative challenges, a foundation that later proved invaluable in his ministerial role.
Political Career: From Student Leader to Minister
Mohammed Riyas’s political career is a story of steady ascent through the ranks of leftist organizations. His early involvement with SFI transitioned into a prominent role with the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPI(M). Starting as a member, he rose to become president and then secretary of the DYFI Kozhikode District Committee. Between 2010 and 2016, he served in the DYFI Kerala state committee, holding positions as State Vice President and Joint Secretary. His leadership culminated in 2016 when he was elected All India Joint Secretary of DYFI, followed by his appointment as All India President in 2017—a role he held until 2021.
Parallel to his DYFI tenure, Riyas joined CPI(M) in 1993, becoming a district committee member for Kozhikode and later a state committee member. In 2022, he ascended to the CPI(M) Kerala State Secretariat, solidifying his influence within the party.
Electoral Forays: Losses and Triumphs
Riyas’s electoral debut came in the 2009 Indian general election, where he contested as the CPI(M) candidate from Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency. He faced a narrow defeat to Congress’s M. K. Raghavan by just 838 votes—one of the closest margins in Kerala’s electoral history. Alleging foul play, Riyas filed a petition with the Kerala High Court claiming Raghavan used defamatory propaganda, but the case was dismissed in 2010.
Undeterred, Riyas contested the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election from Beypore, Kozhikode. His victory by a margin of 28,747 votes against V. K. C. Mammad Koya of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) marked his first electoral win. This triumph paved the way for his induction into the second Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) cabinet on May 20, 2021, as the Minister for PWD and Tourism.
Ministerial Role: Leading Kerala’s Infrastructure and Tourism
As Kerala’s PWD and Tourism Minister, Mohammed Riyas has focused on revitalizing infrastructure and boosting tourism, sectors critical to the state’s economy. Taking office amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he prioritized reviving tourism, a sector battered by travel restrictions. In May 2021, he convened a meeting with tourism officials to devise recovery strategies, emphasizing support for entrepreneurs and workers. Initiatives like the Kerala Tourism 2.0 policy and events like the Champions Boat League have since gained traction under his leadership.
In the PWD domain, Riyas oversees road development, bridge construction, and public building maintenance. His tenure has seen ambitious projects like the Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel road and the K-Rail semi-high-speed rail proposal, though not without controversy. In 2024, the collapse of a floating bridge at Varkala Beach during its inauguration raised safety concerns, prompting Riyas to order stricter oversight. His stance against MLAs accompanying contractors to his office, backed by CPI(M), reflects his commitment to transparent governance, even if it stirred debates about legislative privilege.
Riyas’s vocal opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019, viewing it as a constitutional threat, underscores his ideological alignment with CPI(M)’s secular ethos. His leadership blends youthful energy with pragmatic policymaking, earning him both praise and critique.
Personal Life: Marriages and Family Ties
Mohammed Riyas’s personal life has garnered attention due to his high-profile connections. In 2002, he married Dr. Sameeha Saithalavi, a dentist, with whom he has two sons. The couple divorced in 2015 after 13 years, a decision kept private until his political rise brought it into focus.
On June 15, 2020, Riyas married T. Veena, an IT entrepreneur and the daughter of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The low-key ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, attended by close family, made headlines as it united a minister and chief minister as father-in-law and son-in-law—the first such pairing in Kerala’s cabinet history. Veena, who runs Exalogic Solutions, faced scrutiny in 2023 over alleged payments from a Kochi-based mining firm, a controversy Riyas dismissed as media bias during an Independence Day speech in Kannur.
Living in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, Riyas balances his ministerial duties with family life. His net worth, estimated at ₹1–2 crore as per 2021 election affidavits, reflects modest assets for a politician of his stature, including inherited property and income from his legal practice.
Achievements and Controversies
Riyas’s tenure as DYFI president saw him lead nationwide protests against cattle slaughter bans and the CAA, earning him a reputation as a fiery activist. His ministerial achievements include infrastructure upgrades and tourism promotion, with initiatives like the Thrissur Robotics Park launched in 2024 enhancing Kerala’s tech profile.
However, controversies have shadowed his career. His 2021 remark cautioning MLAs against contractor lobbying sparked a privilege row with the Congress, while his 2023 criticism of journalists as politically biased drew ire from media circles. The Varkala bridge incident further tested his administrative mettle, though swift rescue efforts mitigated backlash.
Why Mohammed Riyas Matters
Mohammed Riyas Kerala Minister stands out as a youthful face in a veteran-dominated cabinet, embodying CPI(M)’s push for fresh leadership. At 48 as of February 22, 2025, his journey from SFI activist to state secretariat member reflects a grassroots rise. His marriage to Veena Vijayan adds a dynastic layer, yet his independent political track record counters nepotism critiques. For those searching “Mohammed Riyas biography” or “Kerala PWD Minister,” his story offers inspiration—a blend of ideology, ambition, and service.
Looking Ahead: Future Prospects
As of 2025, Mohammed Riyas continues to shape Kerala’s development. With the LDF government eyeing the 2026 elections, his performance in PWD and Tourism will be pivotal. Projects like coastal highway expansions and sustainable tourism policies signal his long-term vision. Whether he’ll contest higher office, like Lok Sabha again, remains speculative, but his trajectory suggests a lasting impact.
What’s your view on Mohammed Riyas’s journey? Share your thoughts below and explore more about this dynamic Kerala Minister shaping India’s political and infrastructural landscape!
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