Palathinal Joseph Joseph (born 10 June 1941) is an Indian politician from Kerala Congress serving as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from Thodupuzha Assembly Constituency in Kerala. A former cabinet minister, Joseph entered Kerala politics through Kerala Congress in 1968. Early life P. J. Joseph was born on 10 June 1941 to Palathinal Joseph and Annamma at Purapuzha in Idukki District in central Kerala. He married Dr. Santha Joseph, retired as Additional Director, Kerala Health Department, on 15 September 1971. The couple has four children, three sons and one daughter, named as Er.Apu John Joseph, Dr. Anu Yamuna, Antony Joseph and the late Jomon Joseph. Jomon Joseph, the youngest, suffered from Down's Syndrome, and died due to a massive heart attack in 2020 aged 34. Political career Joseph entered Kerala politics through Kerala Congress in 1968. P. J. Joseph contested and won his first election from Thodupuzha to the Kerala legislative assembly. He won these elections on ten occasions (1970, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1996, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021). He held various ministerial positions within the Government of Kerala: As Home Minister (1978) Joseph's first time as a Minister was in 1978 as Home Minister in A. K. Antony's ministry. He served this role for nearly 8 months. He resigned the position for his colleague K.M Mani. As Revenue minister (1981-1987) Since 1981 Joseph became Revenue minister in K. Karunakaran's ministry. Joseph was Revenue minister between 1981 and 1982 and 1982–1987. As Education minister (1996-2001) In E. K. Nayanar's ministry between (1996 and 2001) Joseph was Education minister. PWD minister (2006-2010) He was short-term PWD minister in V. S. Achuthanandan's ministry in 2006 and 2010. He resigned twice. The first time he was accused of misbehaviour with a lady co-passenger. He was acquitted by the court. The second time was for leaving Left Democratic Front for united Kerala congress. It was after 23 years, Joseph's party again merged with Kerala Congress (M) and an alliance member of United Democratic Front (UDF). Kerala Congress (Joseph) In 1979 he parted ways with Kerala congress leader K. M. Mani to form a Kerala Congress (Joseph) new party. However in 1985 Kerala congress leaders K. M. Mani (from Kerala Congress (M)), P. J. Joseph from Kerala Congress (Joseph), R. Balakrishna Pillai (from Kerala Congress (B)) and their parties merged forming the united Kerala Congress. This party split in 1987. P. J. Joseph continued