THE CHIEF MINISTER

C. Kesavan sworn in as Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin on March 3, 1951. T.K. Narayana Pillai and A.J. John were the ministers. Both the ministers resigned in September 1951. New ministers sworn in were : K.M. Kora (Finance & Food), G. Chandrasekhara Pillai (PWD), L.M. Pylee (Education & Revenue), P.K. Krishnankutty Menon (Industries & Labour). After the declaration of general election of 1952, C. Kesavan ministry relinguished power on March 12, 1952. The historic Land Reforms Bill was piloted by C. Kesavan, but failed to pass through. The Trivandrum Medical College was opened by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during C. Kesavan’s tenure. A controversial statement made by Chief Minister C. Kesavan is history. When the fire broke out in Sabarimala, C. Kesavan, in his characteristic frankness said: "If a temple is destroyed that much of religious fanaticism will go off." ("ഒരു അമ്പലം നശിച്ചാല്‍ അത്രയും അന്ധവിശ്വാസം നശിക്കും")