Veteran CPI(M) Leader and Ex-Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan Passes Away at 101 — End of an Era

VS Achuthanandan, former Kerala Chief Minister and a senior leader of the CPI(M), has died at the age of 101. The party announced his death on Monday. He had been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after suffering a cardiac arrest on June 23.

Senior leaders including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Finance Minister KN Balagopal, and CPI(M) state secretary visited the hospital earlier in the day as his health condition remained critical.

A Lifelong Advocate for Justice

Born on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha district, Vellikakath Sankaran Achuthanandan was a key figure in Kerala's political landscape. He was deeply involved in trade union movements and consistently fought for social justice and the rights of workers throughout his life.

Achuthanandan was one of the founding members of the CPI(M), formed in 1964 after a major split in the original Communist Party. He remained a central force in the party for decades.

Achievements and Political Journey

Achuthanandan served as Kerala's Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011. During his term, he gained popularity for taking firm stands on issues like land encroachment and corruption. He played a major role in implementing pro-people policies and strengthening the Left’s presence in the state.

He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly seven times out of the ten elections he contested. Although he lost his first electoral contest from Ambalapuzha, he later won significant support, particularly in his stronghold of Malampuzha.

From 1980 to 1992, he served as CPI(M)’s state secretary, helping the party grow stronger and gain support from workers and poor communities in Kerala.

Legacy and Final Years

Even at the age of 93, he actively campaigned for the Left Democratic Front in the 2016 assembly elections, winning from Malampuzha. However, due to his deteriorating health, the party transitioned leadership to Pinarayi Vijayan. VS Achuthanandan leaves behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to the ideals of socialism, justice, and people’s welfare.