Shri. M.V. Raghavan , veteran leader popularly known as MVR, was born as the son of Shri. Sankaran Nambiar and Smt. Thambai Amma on 5th May 1933 at Pappinisseri.

He entered politics early in 1948 as an active worker of the Communist Party. During his long and eventful political career, he had been detained for 30 months under DIR, from November 1964. He went underground during the emergency period and was arrested under MISA and imprisoned , for about 10 months, in Kannur Central Jail. In 1986 he formed a new Party, Communist Marxist Party (CMP) and became its General Secretary.

Shri. Raghavan became elected to KLA for the first time in 1970, from Madayi constituency as a CPI (M) candidate and again in 1977 from Thaliparamba, 1980 from Kuthuparamba and yet again in 1982 from Payyannur as a candidate of CPI (M). In 1987, he became elected from Azhikode constituency, as a CMP candidate. In 1991 he got elected from Kazhakkuttom constituency and again in 2001, from Thiruvananthapuram - West.

Shri. Raghavan served as the Minister for Co-operation from 24.6.1991 to 16.3.1995 in the Ministry headed by Shri.K.Karunakaran, and from 22.3.1995 to 9.5.1996 in the Ministry headed by Shri A.K.Antony. He served again, as the Minister for Co-operation and Ports, in the Ministry, headed by Shri. A.K. Antony from 17.5.2001 to 29.8.2004. Presently he is the Minister for Co-operation and Ports in the Ministry headed by Shri. Oommen Chandy, and he has been holding that portfolio since 31.8.2004.

Shri. Raghavan has held other important positions as well, including serving as Pappinissery Panchayat President for 16 years. Now he is the President, A.K.G. Memorial Co-operative Hospital, Kannur, Papinisseri Visha Chikilsa Society, and the Ayurveda Medical College, Parassinikadavu. Besides, he is the Chairman, Kerala Co-operative Hospital Complex and Center for Advanced Medical Sciences Ltd., Pariyaram, and Vice-Chairman, Academy of Medical Sciences, Pariyaram.

Smt. C.V. Janaki is his wife and they have three sons and one daughter.