Bhargavan was born at Veliyam village near Kottarakkara in Kollam in 1928.He was the only leader who never showed interest in the electoral polls. He was always confined himself to party activities. He was fondly called “Asan” by his friends and party colleagues. His father name is Malethu Krishnam. Before joining politics, Bhargavan had learned Sanskrit and also were in the path of spirituality for a few months. He has also taken Shasthri Degree in Sanskrit.
He had joined politics at a very young age while studying in Kollam SN College and served as state vice president of students federation during 1950 – 52. He had also served as a member of Veliyam Panchayat prior to contesting the assembly poll. He has been arrested on 1983 when the communist party was banned and in 1954 for leading struggles of transport workers.
He had represented Chadayamangalam constituency in the Kerala Assembly in 1957 and 1960. after which he kept himself off electoral scene, concentrating entirely on the organizational front despite pressures from within the party to contest polls. He was a member of the CPI national council since 1971. He had served as the party’s state secretary from 1998 to 2010 for twelve years, In 2010 he stepped down from the post citing poor health. He had led the state CPI and during those years he had tried to ensure unity between CPI and CPM the two leading parties of the Left Democratic Front. He is the leader of impeccable integrity, who is known for his rigid idealistic stances.
He also became the party successor to Vasudhevan Nair. He got elected 4 times as state secretary. In 2010 he took retirement form the post due to the ill health and stayed away from active politics. Though an architect of the present LDF, Bhargavan was a tough negotiator within the front to secure the interests of his party.