Chennikkara Francis Thomas, who was born on July 30, 1939, and passed away on September 27, 2020, was an Indian politician from Changanassery. He served as a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and was also the Minister for Rural Development in the third A. K. Antony ministry and the first Oommen Chandy ministry. Additionally, he was the Chairman of the Kerala Congress and later became its Deputy Chairman.
Before embarking on his political career, Thomas was a teacher at St. Berchmans Higher Secondary School in Changanassery for 18 years, from 1962 to 1980. Thomas began his political career as an activist of the Kerala Students Union, the student wing of the Indian National Congress in 1956. He later became a founder member of the Kerala Congress in 1964.
Thomas represented the Changanassery constituency and was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for nine consecutive terms, beginning in 1980. As a minister, he held the portfolios of Registration, Rural Development, Khadi, and Village Industries in the third A. K. Antony ministry and the first Oommen Chandy ministry. Thomas was also the State Level General Secretary of the Kerala Catholic Students League. Known for his modesty and simple lifestyle, he was respected by many.