VS Achuthanandan, Veteran Communist Leader, Passes Away at 101

Thiruvananthapuram: V.S. Achuthanandan, Kerala’s iconic Communist leader and former Chief Minister, passed away at the age of 101 in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, July 21. The veteran politician had been undergoing treatment at the SUT Hospital’s intensive care unit since June 23 following a cardiac arrest.

A towering figure in Kerala’s political landscape, Achuthanandan was the last surviving leader among the 32 founding members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], formed after a split from the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1964.

His political journey, marked by resilience and a deep connection with the working class, spanned over eight decades. Despite joining the Communist movement as a teenager, Achuthanandan had to wait decades for electoral success. He became an MLA at the age of 44 and was sworn in as Chief Minister only at the age of 82, leading the State from 2006 to 2011. He also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly on three occasions.

Born in Punnapra, Alappuzha district, Achuthanandan was drawn to leftist ideology at an early age, influenced by coir workers and freedom fighters. At 23, he participated in the historic Punnapra-Vayalar uprising against the Dewan of Travancore, during which he sustained life-threatening injuries in a police crackdown.

His political career saw him play a crucial role in shaping the CPI(M)’s identity in Kerala. He won his first Assembly election in 1967 from Ambalappuzha and went on to represent the Mararikulam constituency for two decades from 2001.

As an Opposition leader, he took strong positions on issues such as forest encroachment, illegal lotteries, and the operations of multinational corporations. As Chief Minister, his tenure witnessed key developments such as the Vallarpadam container transshipment terminal, expansion of Technopark in Kollam, and initial groundwork for major infrastructure projects including Kannur Airport and the Kochi Metro.

Known for his sharp tongue and uncompromising stance, Achuthanandan often courted controversy. His long-standing rivalry with Congress leader Oommen Chandy was matched by ideological and political tensions within his own party—particularly with current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. His criticism of Vijayan during the SNC-Lavalin case and his visit to the residence of KK Rema, widow of murdered rebel leader TP Chandrasekharan, underscored his maverick approach and independent voice within the party.

Despite internal differences, Achuthanandan remained a mass leader, whose charisma and distinct oratory drew large crowds. Public pressure and grassroots support often led the CPI(M) to field him in elections even after initially sidelining him, notably in 2011 and 2016.

Following the 2016 Assembly polls, he was appointed Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, a post he held until 2018, when a stroke led to his withdrawal from active public life.
VS Achuthanandan’s demise marks the end of an era in Kerala’s Communist politics. His life bridged the formative struggles of the Left movement with its evolution into a dominant political force in Kerala’s democratic framework.

VS Achuthanandan’s demise marks the end of an era in Kerala’s Communist politics. His life bridged the formative struggles of the Left movement with its evolution into a dominant political force in Kerala’s democratic framework.