Shri. Ramesh Chennithala , who rose to prominence through the students movement and later became a leading figure of the Congress, was born on May 25, 1956, at Chennithala as the son of Smt. Devaki Amma and Shri. V. Ramakrishnan Nair.

He entered politics while a student, beginning his political career through the KSU in 1969. After serving as its unit Secretary in Mahatma High School, Chennithala and as College Union Chairman, N.S.S College, Perunna, he later became the KSU State Committee member, Vice- President, General Secretary and President thrice, and thereafter the President of NSUI. His entry into the mainstream politics was through the Youth Congress, and he rose to become the President of All India Youth
Congress. He has also served as the Secretary , AICC and Member , Congress Working Committee.

He is, presently the President of the K.P.C.C. Shri. Ramesh Chennithala became elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1982 from Haripad constituency. He served as the Minster for Rural Development from June 5, 1986 to March 25, 1987 in the Cabinet headed by Shri. K.Karunakaran. Later, in 1987 he became elected also to the Eighth Kerala Legislative Assembly from the same constituency. Shri Ramesh Chennithala has also had a remarkable stint, in the Lok Sabha, four times in 1989, 1991, 1996 and 1999 respectively .

He was also Secretary General of International NAM Youth Conference, held at New Delhi in 1985.

Smt. T.N. Anitha is his wife and they have two sons.