Bhargavi Thankappan

Bhargavi took up a job at the Rubber Board for a brief period in 1968, before working for the Kerala State Electricity Board until 1971.^[1] She entered the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time from Neduvathoor constituency as a candidate of the Communist Party of India (CPI).^[2] Later, she won the 1971 Indian general election from Adoor seat, reserved for scheduled castes.^[1] She represented Kilimanoor in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th Kerala Legislative Assembly. She was the deputy speaker for the 8th assembly from 1987 to 1991. She is also a member of the state and national council of CPI.^[2]

The CPI expelled Bhargavi in 2002, after the Justice Mohan Kumar Commission found that she had taken bribe from a liquor contractor for smooth running of his business without government intervention.^[3] Five years later, a Vigilance Special Court acquitted her for lack of evidence.^[4]

Bhargavi married A. K. Thankappan on 29 June 1967.^[1] Together they have one son and two daughters.^[2]