T. J. Vinod
T. J. Vinod | |
|---|---|
 T. J. Vinod, MLA from Ernakulam | |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Hibi Eden |
| Constituency | Ernakulam, Kerala |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 6, 1963 Palarivattom, Ernakulam, Kerala, India |
| Party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | Shimitha Vinod |
| Children | Sneha Vinod, Varun Vinod |
| Parent(s) | T. M. Joseph (father), Celin Joseph (mother) |
| Residence(s) | Kochi, Kerala |
| Alma mater | St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery (B.Com) |
| Occupation | Politician |
T. J. Vinod (born 6 April 1963) is an Indian politician from the Indian National Congress, currently serving as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Ernakulam State Assembly constituency.[1] A senior Congress leader from Ernakulam district, he has also served as the Deputy Mayor of the Kochi Municipal Corporation and as the President of the District Congress Committee (DCC) Ernakulam.[2] Vinod is known for his grassroots political work, youth leadership, and civic development initiatives in the Kochi region.[3]
Early life and education
T. J. Vinod was born on 6 April 1963 in Palarivattom, Ernakulam, Kerala, to T. M. Joseph and Celin Joseph. He belongs to the Latin Catholic community. He completed his schooling at St. Rita’s Public School, Ponnuruthy, and his pre-degree course at Vidyaniketan College, Kacherippady, Ernakulam. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree from St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery, between 1982 and 1985.[4]
During his college years, he was active in student politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Indian National Congress.[5]
Family and personal life
T. J. Vinod is married to Shimitha Vinod. The couple has two children, Sneha Vinod and Varun Vinod, both graduates of the Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, Kakkanad. His hobbies include watching football and cricket. He has also been serving as the District President of the Archery Association since 2007.[4]
Political career
Student politics
Vinod entered active politics in 1982 as a member of the Kerala Students Union (KSU). He held several positions in the organization:[4]
- 1982–1983 – KSU Unit President, St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery
- 1983–1985 – KSU General Secretary, Kochi City
- 1983–1985 – Elected College Union Chairman, St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery (two terms)
Growth in the Indian National Congress
After his student politics phase, he continued to serve in the Congress organisation at various levels.[4]
- 1985–1993 – KSU Ernakulam District General Secretary
- 1993–2002 – Youth Congress Ernakulam District General Secretary
- 1992 – Elected Member, District Congress Committee (DCC), Ernakulam
- 2004–2015 – General Secretary, DCC Ernakulam
- 12 December 2016 – 2019 – President, DCC Ernakulam
Municipal career
Vinod has served in the Kochi Municipal Corporation for over two decades:[4]
- 1995–2019 – Municipal Councillor (Divisions: Palarivattom and Karanakodam)
- 2010–2015 – Chairman, Development Standing Committee
- Deputy Mayor, Kochi Municipal Corporation (two terms):
- 20 November 2002 – 22 August 2003
- 2015 – 2019
Legislative career
T. J. Vinod was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2019 from the Ernakulam constituency, succeeding Hibi Eden, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Ernakulam. He continues to represent the constituency in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly (2021–present).[4][5]
Committee memberships
He is a member of the following legislative committees in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly:[4]
- Committee on the Welfare of Senior Citizens
- Committee on the Welfare of Backward Classes
- Subject Committee on Local Self-Government
Developmental and welfare initiatives
As MLA of Ernakulam, Vinod has supported a number of development and social welfare projects, including:
- Vaduthala Railway Overbridge (ROB) – a major KIIFB-funded project aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Kochi.[6][7]
- Chernallur Drinking Water Project – improving access to safe drinking water.[8]
- Vaduthala - Perandoor Bridge – improving transport connectivity in the region.[9]
- KSRTC Bus Stand Redevelopment (Ernakulam) – modernization project under progress.[10][11]
- Good Morning Ernakulam' – breakfast programme for schoolchildren in the constituency.[12][13]
- MLA Cup – Football Tournament Against Drugs – youth engagement and anti-drug campaign through sports.
- Karuthalayi Ernakulam – a series of medical camps and health awareness programmes.
2021
There were 1,64,534 registered voters in Ernakulam Assembly constituency for the 2021 Kerala Assembly election.[14]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INC | T. J. Vinod | 45,930 | 41.72 |  0.59
| |
| LDF | Shaji George | 34,960 | 31.75 |  6.21
| |
| BJP | Padmaja S. Menon | 16,043 | 14.57 | 0.28
| |
| Twenty 20 Party | Leslie Pallath | 10,634 | 9.66 | New | |
| NOTA | None of the above | 712 | 0.64 | ||
| Margin of victory | 10,970 | 9.97 | 5.8
| ||
| Turnout | 1,08,434 | 66.92 | 9.01
| ||
| INC hold | Swing | 0.59
|
|||
See also
References
- ^ "Kerala Assembly By-elections 2019: Congress wins three, left wins two, BJP winless". Hindustan Times. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ "Kerala:Despite adverse conditions, UDF retains Ekm". The Times of India. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
- ^ "Kerala By-elections: CPI-M Wrests Konni Assembly Seat from Congress after 23 Years; BJP Fails Leave a Mark". News18. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "അംഗങ്ങളുടെ ജീവരേഖ" (PDF). niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Kerala Legislature - Members - 15th Kerala Legislature Assembly". niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "KIIFB allots ₹6.75 crore; work to start soon on Vaduthala ROB". The New Indian Express. 31 March 2023.
- ^ "Vaduthala overbridge likely to be built by third quarter of 2026". The Hindu. 2024.
- ^ "Kochi: Drinking water shortage in Cheranalloor to be solved soon". India Today. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Vaduthala ROB: Roadworks get technical approval". The Times of India. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Renovation of KSRTC's Ernakulam bus stand on cards, say officials". The Hindu. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Ernakulam to finally get new KSRTC stand; govt announces ₹12 cr". Manorama Online. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Satheesan lauds 'Good Morning Ernakulam' breakfast scheme". The Hindu. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "'Good Morning Ernakulam' breakfast scheme launched in govt schools". The Times of India. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "ceo.kerala.gov.in" (PDF).