V.S. Achuthanandan, the veteran communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister, has passed away at the age of 101. He breathed his last on Monday, July 21, 2025, in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Achuthanandan had been receiving treatment at the hospital following a cardiac arrest a month prior. His death marks the end of an era in Kerala's political history.

Born on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha, as Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, he came from a family of agricultural laborers. Orphaned at a young age, he faced numerous hardships, including poverty and personal struggles. He was initiated into the freedom movement at the age of 16 by P. Krishna Pillai, whom he considered his "guru".

Achuthanandan's political journey began with trade union activities and joining the State Congress in 1938. In 1940, he became a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI). His early activism involved organizing agricultural laborers and factory workers. He was actively involved in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising in 1946, leading to his arrest and torture by the police.

In 1964, Achuthanandan played a key role in the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], breaking away from the undivided CPI. He served as the CPI(M) State Secretary and was a prominent figure during the Emergency, when he was jailed. He was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from 1985 until 2009. Despite being a senior leader, he was known for occasionally defying party discipline.

Achuthanandan served as Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. Prior to that, he served as Leader of the Opposition for 15 years, making him the longest-serving Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. As Chief Minister, he initiated actions against land encroachment in Munnar, addressed road issues in Kochi, and combatted film piracy and lottery scams.

Known for his anti-corruption stance and unwavering commitment to social justice, Achuthanandan remained a popular figure throughout his career. He championed causes like environmental protection, gender equality, transgender rights, and free software. Despite clashes with the CPI(M) leadership, he maintained his influence within the party and among the public.

In his later years, Achuthanandan withdrew from active public life due to health issues. He suffered a minor stroke in 2019 and had been living with his son's family in Thiruvananthapuram. He is survived by his wife, K. Vasumathy, his children, V.A. Arun Kumar and V.V. Asha, and his grandchildren.

V.S. Achuthanandan's life was marked by relentless struggle and dedication to the communist ideology. He leaves behind a legacy as a crusader for the underprivileged and a powerful voice in Kerala's political landscape.