Shri. V.J. Thankappan, Advocate and senior Communist leader, was born as the son of Shri. Johnson, on 20th April 1934 at Aralummoodu.

Joining the Communist Party of India in 1963, he had served as Councillor, Neyyattinkara Municipality during 1968-79, and as its Chairman during 1979-84. Shri. Thankappan became elected to the 7th KLA in 1983 through a bye-election held on 2.3.1983, from Nemom Constituency. He was again elected, from the same constituency , in 1987 and 1991.

He served as the Minister for Local Administration from 2.4.1987 to 17.6.1991, in the Ministry headed by Shri. E.K. Nayanar. He was also the Chairman, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table during 1995-1996 and the Vice- Chairman of Third Administrative Reforms Committee, and Committee on Decentralisation of Administration.

Smt. Bella is his wife, and they have three sons and one daughter.