state in 1956, he became Prime Minister of Travancore from 24 March 1948 to 22 October 1948. After independence, the princely states of Travancore and Cochin were amalgamated to form Travancore-Cochin State on 1 July 1949. As a PSP member Pillai became Chief Minister of Thiru-Kochi (or Travancore-Cochin) from 16 March