V.S. Achuthanandan, the veteran CPI(M) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister, has passed away at the age of 101 in Thiruvananthapuram on July 21, 2025. He had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit at SUT Hospital since June 23 after suffering a cardiac arrest. His death marks the end of an era in Kerala politics, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to communism and social justice.
Born on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha, Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, popularly known as VS, entered politics at a young age, drawn to the workers' movement. He joined the State Congress in 1939 and became a member of the Communist Party in 1940. His early political activities involved organizing coir factory workers, toddy tappers, and agricultural laborers. He played a key role in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising in 1946, a significant event in Kerala's communist history. During this period, he faced severe injuries and was even presumed dead after a police crackdown.
Achuthanandan was a founding member of the CPI(M),He was among the 32 leaders who walked out of the Communist Party of India's National Council in 1964 to form the new party. He served as the Secretary of the CPI(M) Kerala State Committee from 1980 to 1992. His political career was marked by significant sacrifices, including over five years in prison and nearly four and a half years in hiding.
He was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) at the age of 44. He represented Ambalappuzha, Mararikulam, and Malampuzha constituencies in the Kerala Assembly. He served as Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011, assuming office at the age of 82, making him the oldest person to hold the position. He also held the position of Leader of the Opposition three times.
As Chief Minister, Achuthanandan took several notable initiatives. These included efforts to reclaim illegally occupied government land in Munnar, action against film piracy, and a struggle against the lottery mafia in the state. He was instrumental in convicting former minister R. Balakrishna Pillai on charges of corruption. His government decided to build the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Vallarpadam and the Technopark in Kollam. He also supported the free and open-source software movement in Kerala.
Despite his contributions, Achuthanandan's political career was not without its challenges. He faced ideological rifts and disputes within the CPI(M) leadership. He was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from 1985 to 2009, after which he was moved to the party's Central Committee.
Achuthanandan remained active in politics until 2018 when a stroke weakened his health. He served as the chairman of the State Administrative Reforms Commission from 2016 to 2021. He is remembered as a staunch communist who dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of the working class and combating corruption. His passing is a significant loss for the CPI(M) and the people of Kerala.
