Thrissur: The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Kerala State Committee has elected Dr. Chinta Jerome as its new State President. Her election marks a historic milestone for the organization, making her the first woman to hold the top leadership post in DYFI’s history.
Alongside her election, Kalyassery MLA and former SFI State Secretary M. Vijin has been appointed as the new State Secretary, while Adv. R. Rahul takes charge as the State Treasurer. The official announcement was made at the DYFI State Conference venue in Thrissur following key leadership consultations.
Meet the New Leadership
Dr. Chinta Jerome (State President)
Born in Kollam to teacher couple C. Jerome and Esther Jerome, Chinta completed her schooling at Vimala Hridaya Higher Secondary School. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English Literature from Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, and completed her B.Ed. at Karmela Rani Training College. She holds a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in English Literature from the University of Kerala and has qualified for UGC NET-JRF.
Chinta entered public life through student activism with the SFI. She served as SFI Kollam Area President, District Joint Secretary, State Vice President, and Central Committee Member. In 2007–2008, she was the Chairperson of the University of Kerala Union and served as a member of both the University Senate and Syndicate.
From 2016 to 2023, she served two terms as the Chairperson of the Kerala State Youth Commission. During her tenure, she introduced key initiatives like the ‘Youth Brigade’, training young volunteers for disaster management and pandemic response. She is one of the youngest members of the CPI(M) State Committee.
In 2019, she represented Kerala at the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Conclave in Bonn, Germany. She was also part of CPI(M) delegations to China (2016) and Cuba (2025). She has authored three books: Chumbanam – Samaram Idathupeksham, Chankile China, and Athisayapathu.
M. Vijin (State Secretary)
Born to T. K. Bhaskaran and Vasantha in Edat, Kannur, Vijin completed his early schooling at Edanat West LP School, Edanat UP School, and Govt. Boys High School, Payyannur. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Physics from Payyannur College and later earned his Master’s degree in Philosophy from SSUS Kalady.
Vijin began his public organization work through Balasangham, serving as its Kannur District President, Secretary, and State Secretary. He later took on key roles in SFI as Kannur District Secretary, President, State Secretary, and All-India Joint Secretary. In DYFI, he served as Unit President, Secretary, Kannur District Treasurer, State Vice President, and Central Committee Member.
He has served as a Syndicate Member at Cochin University (CUSAT), a member of the Kerala State Higher Education Council, and Union Chairman at Payyannur College. A CPI(M) Kannur District Committee member, Vijin has been serving as the MLA representing the Kalyassery constituency since 2021. He is married to Aswathi, a teacher, and they have a son named Naithal.
Adv. R. Rahul (State Treasurer)
Adv. R. Rahul (37) is a CPI(M) Alappuzha District Committee member. He currently serves as a member of the Alappuzha District Panchayat (Punnapra Division) and holds the position of Standing Committee Chairman for Public Works.
A former member of the State Youth Commission, Rahul has served as an SFI Central Committee Member, State Joint Secretary, District Secretary, and DYFI District Secretary. He holds a Master’s degree in History and an LL.B. He is a former Union Chairman at SSUS Kalady and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Public Administration at Sreenarayanaguru Open University.
He is married to Anju S. Ram, and they have a son named Gazal. His mother is Seemanthini.
