M. V. Raghavan
Melathu Veettil Raghavan (5 May 1933 – 9 November 2014) was a veteran Communist leader and a former Minister in Kerala state of India. He was the General Secretary of the Communist Marxist Party, an alliance partner in the United Democratic Front. Prior to the formation of the CMP he was a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

He was expelled from CPIM following an inner party struggle in which he advocated alliance with Kerala Congress and Muslim league against the official line of keeping these two parties out of Left Democratic font (LDF). He then formed CMP and later joined the United Democratic front. He was a minister in UDF governments a number of times.

He belongs to Kannur District in the North Malabar area of Kerala.  His district is one of the developing zones in the country. Raghavan set up the first co-operative sector medical college in the country, Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur District.  He was the key person to build the first 'Visha Chikitsa Kendram' (Snake-venom removal centre) in the state at Pappinisseri. His other major achievement has been the setting up of a Snake Park in Dharmasala, which has become a major tourist attraction.

Positions held
Member, 4th Kerala Legislative Assembly from Madayi-CPI (M) 
Member, 5th Kerala Legislative Assembly from Thaliparamba-CPI (M) 
Member, 6th Kerala Legislative Assemble from Kuthuparamba-CPI (M) 
Member, 7th Kerala Legislative Assemble from Payyannur-CPI (M)
Member, 8th Kerala Legislative Assemble from Azhikode-CMP 
Member, 9th Kerala Legislative Assemble from Kazhakkootam-CMP 
Member, 11th Kerala Legislative Assemble from Trivandrum-West-CMP
Minister for Co-Operation Kerala, 24 June 1991 to 9 May 1996 
Minister for Co-Operation and Ports Kerala, 17 May 2001 to 20 April 2006
President, Pappinissery Panchayat, Kannur (16 years)

Personal life

Raghavan was born to Shankaran Nambiar on 5 May 1933 in Kannur. He was married to Janaki. The couple have three sons, M.V. Girish Kumar and M.V. Rajesh Kumar; & M. V. Nikesh Kumar, a Keralite newsreader and a daughter, Girija.

Since 2005, Raghavan was bed-ridden with advanced Parkinson's disease. He died on 9 November 2014. at the age of 81. He was cremated with full state honours at Payyambalam Beach Crematorium, near the memorials of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai, A. K. Gopalan, K. G. Marar and E. K. Nayanar.