Shri. M.P.Gangadharan, Advocate and senior Congress leader, was born on 15th July, 1934 as the son of Shri. P. Sankara Panicker and Smt. M. Madhavi Amma.

He was actively involved in political and social activities even from his student days. After studies, he started practice in Manjeri and entered into active politics through the P.S.P. He left P.S.P. in 1962 and joined Indian National Congress in 1963.

Shri. Gangadharan was elected to the Third Kerala Legislative Assembly from Nilambur constituency, in a bye-election held on April 21, 1970. He was again elected to the fourth KLA from Nilambur, fifth KLA from Ponnani, sixth KLA from Pattambi, and to the seventh and eleventh KLA, from Ponnani. Shri. Gangadharan also served as the Minister for Irrigation from 24-5-1982 to 12-03-1986 in the Ministry headed by Shri.K. Karunakaran.

From 1973 to 1974, he was the Chairman of Committee on Estimates, from 1976 to 1977, the Chairman of Subordinate Legislation Committee and since 2001, he is the Chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Ethics. He served as the Secretary of Congress Parliamentary Party, President, DCC, Malappuram, State President and Working Committee Member of INC (Thiwari), Member, KPCC Executive and AICC and Deputy Leader, Congress Parliamentary Party.

He was also the Chairman of Kerala Water Authority and KTDC and had served as the Chief Editor of ‘Malabar today’ an evening daily. Shri. Gangadharan resigned his membership in the XI KLA on 5.7.2005. He is now a prominent leader of Democratic Indira Congress.

His wife is Smt. M.K. Santhakumari and they have 2 sons and 1 daughter.