Kochi (Kerala), Sep 13 - Charles Dias of Kochi has been named as one of the two Anglo Indian nominees to the Lok Sabha -- taking Kerala's strength in the lower house of the Indian parliament to 21.

With this, the total number of MPs from the state, including nine in the Rajya Sabha, has touched 30.

Dias, 59, is a retired senior superintendent of the Kerala State Electricity Board and has been an active member of the community here.

'I never expected this nomination. I am happy that I have been nominated and I will do my best to work for the betterment of my community,' said Dias.

The Anglo-Indian community is the only Indian community that has its own representatives nominated to the Lok Sabha.

The community is represented by two members. This is done because the community has no native state of its own.

States like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka and Kerala also have a nominated Anglo Indian member each in their respective state legislatures.