Former Union Minister K P Unnikrishnan, a prominent political figure of the 1980s and 1990s, has passed away at age 89. Elected to the Lok Sabha six consecutive times from Vadakara, Unnikrishnan served as Union Minister of Surface Transport and Communications in the V P Singh Cabinet during 1989-90. His tenure was marked by significant responsibilities, including overseeing the evacuation of Indian citizens during the Gulf War. Beginning his career as a journalist, Unnikrishnan was first elected to Parliament in 1971 as a Congress candidate and remained politically active across multiple decades. He also served as leader of Congress (Secular) in Parliament between 1981 and 1984. His political journey reflected the dynamic shifts in Indian politics during a transformative era for the nation's governance and economic policy landscape.
