Born to Mary and John in 1917 in the coastal hamlet of Chavara in Kollam district, Baby John (25 October 1917 – 27 January 2008) was a senior leader and key figure in Kerala politics for nearly half a century.

He honed his political skills during his college days in Palayamkottai in Tamil Nadu and later in Kochi. During his time at St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam, Baby John made his mark by standing against Diwan Sir C. P. Ramaswamy, leading to his expulsion from college for throwing stones during the Diwan’s speech. As a result, he was barred from continuing his studies in any college in Travancore and later joined Victoria College, Palakkad. It was here that Baby John’s life intertwined with those of political giants like Comrade Kannanthodath Janardhanan Nair and K.C.S. Mani. Staying at the historic Netaji Lodge, Baby John became a protector of political activists hiding after the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising.

As a freedom fighter and trade unionist, Baby John was arrested several times for participating in agitations. A Congress worker to start with, John was later attracted to leftist ideology and was a founder-member of the Revolutionary Socialist Party in the country. John's long legislative career began in the early 1950s when he was elected to the Travancore-Cochin assembly. After the state formation, he was elected to the Kerala Assembly from 1960 to 1996, mostly from his home constituency Chavara.

For nearly four decades, Baby John was Chavara’s trusted voice in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, serving an impressive 37 years, 9 months, and 12 days. Elected 11 times, he contributed to seven different ministries under chief ministers like C. Achutha Menon, K. Karunakaran, A. K. Antony, P. K. Vasudevan Nair, and E. K. Nayanar. His handling of key portfolios such as Revenue, Education, Labour, Irrigation, Cooperation, and Excise earned him a reputation for unparalleled administrative skill.

One of Baby John’s most notable achievements was his role in resolving the historic 53-day NGO strike during C. Achutha Menon’s ministry (1970–1977). With the strike bringing government offices to a standstill, it was Baby John’s diplomatic prowess that helped broker a solution, ending a standoff that many had thought insurmountable.

During A. K. Antony’s first ministry in 1977, a fire broke out at Vizhinjam harbour, causing panic. As the chief minister, Baby John, and K. Pankajakshan arrived, the crowd of desperate people surrounded them. Baby John’s calm and decisive actions—arranging temporary accommodation and food—soothed tensions and showcased his exceptional crisis management skills.

His vision and grand execution of responsibilities, especially as Revenue Minister, left a lasting impact on Kerala. Baby John laid the foundation for land reforms that dismantled the feudal system, distributing lands from landlords to workers. His involvement in the historic redistribution of the Rani-Chithira-Marthandam rice fields to labourers cemented his legacy. Both C. Achutha Menon and Baby John personally attended the first harvest from these fields, marking a significant milestone in Kerala's agrarian history.

As Education Minister, Baby John built a strong and harmonious relationship between the government and universities, ensuring the smooth functioning of higher education institutions.

To address the financial burdens on farmers, he championed the Kerala Agricultural Debt Relief Amendment Act, passed on 27 March 1973. Always an advocate for the underprivileged, he introduced a bill on 15 July 1989, for the benefit of construction workers. His dedication to social welfare legislation continues to be a cornerstone of his enduring legacy.

Perhaps the most controversial moment in Baby John’s career was the infamous “Sarasan” incident, where false accusations linked him to the killing of Sarasan under his orders. Despite the media frenzy and political scandal that followed, Baby John triumphed in the subsequent elections. Years later, when Sarasan resurfaced alive, it cleared Baby John of all accusations, cementing his reputation for resilience and integrity. Throughout his illustrious career, Baby John also served as the RSP State Secretary and National General Secretary, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations.

Lean, tall and clad in a pristine white jubba-mundu, Baby John's had been an image etched in the political memory of Kerala. He was known in the state political circles as 'Kerala Kissinger' for his astute abilities to manage political crises at time when the state was passing through unsteady political phases.

In spite of his growing influence in Kerala politics, Baby John’s bond with the people of Chavara never wavered. His work to organise and fight for the rights of Chavara's mineral sand workers is a legacy few can forget. Far from being a mere figurehead, Baby John took practical steps to bring about lasting change. It is no wonder that he amassed many affectionate sobriquets. From "Baby Sir" to "Baby Haji" and "Karuthamuthu" (Black Pearl), these names reflected his widespread popularity and respect.