V. S. Achuthanandan – A Lifelong Comrade, A People’s Voice

Kerala said goodbye to one of its most recognisable leaders on July 21, 2025. V. S. Achuthanandan—affectionately known as “Comrade V.S.”—passed away at the age of 101, closing a chapter in Indian left politics that stretched back to the freedom struggle and beyond. His death sparked an outpouring of emotion across party lines and among ordinary citizens, epitomizing the rare stature he held in modern Indian public life.

1. From Orphan to Opponent: Early Life & Awakening

Born October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha—as Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan—he lost both parents by age eleven. Forced to quit school after seventh grade, he worked in a tailor shop and later in a coir mill, where he first witnessed systemic injustices.

By 15, he found his political footing with the Congress Socialist Party, and by 1940, he embraced Communism directly, joining the Communist Party of India. His activism was honed during dramatic episodes like the Punnapra–Vayalar uprising of 1946, in which he faced brutal police retaliation—a defining moment that infused his life with purpose and conviction.

2. Building Movements, Forging Ideals

The post-independence years found Achuthanandan tirelessly organizing coir and agricultural workers. He was instrumental in setting up bodies like the Travancore Agricultural Workers Union and its evolution into Kerala’s State Agricultural Workers Union.

In 1964, he joined the historic rift that birthed the CPI(M), one of 32 leaders who parted ways with the CPI—a designation that left him, by 2025, as the last surviving founding member in the state.

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3. Unshakeable Convictions: Principled Stances

Several incidents underscored Achuthanandan’s readiness to challenge prevailing currents even within his own party. Notable among these were:

• His remarks during the 1962 Indo-China War, in which he disobeyed CPI orders to back India, resulted in his brief expulsion from the CPI secretariat.
• Public opposition to environmental misconduct—famed for being ahead of his time in questioning projects like nuclear power plants and dams.
• In 2012, after CPI(M) dissident T.P. Chandrasekharan was slain, he boldly visited Chandrasekharan’s widow against party advice; this cemented his image as a man of conscience.

These episodes typified his status as a moral compass, often setting him apart from others—even within his own ranks.

4. The Opposition’s Herald: Leadership & Struggle

Achuthanandan served as Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on three occasions—during 1992–96, 2001–06, and 2011–16—totaling an unmatched 14–15 years.

During these years, he waged campaigns against forest encroachment, illegal lotteries, and foreign corporate exploitation (infamously protesting a Coca-Cola plant in Plachimada). These battles gave voice to Kerala’s working class and marginalized communities.

5. Chief Minister at 83: A Historic Ascension

A surprise even to many within the CPI(M), Achuthanandan was sworn in as Chief Minister in May 2006, at the age of 82 years and 7 months—making him the oldest CM in India at the time.

His tenure until 2011 brought:

• Important infrastructure includes the transshipment facility at Vallarpadam, the opening of the Kannur airport, the IT parks at Kollam and Cherthala, and the Ashtamudi Lake tourism circuit.
• Environmental welfare: anti-corruption drives like scrapping illegal lotteries, reclaiming Munnar’s encroached land, prosecuting land-grabbers.
• Social programs: bolstered health, public works, education, culture and IT sectors.

Though occasionally embroiled—for example, over solar sex scandal ties—his broad integrity remained widely unchallenged.

6. Internal Battles: Factional Clashes

Achuthanandan was susceptible to intra-party strife despite being a stalwart. His rift with CPI(M) colleague Pinarayi Vijayan—a power struggle that saw both leaders temporarily suspended—highlighted ideological differences and competing visions.

Yet this clash also showcased his resolve to speak truth to power, unfettered by hierarchy—a rare trait among veteran politicians.

7. Journey Beyond Politics: Honoring Legacy

Concluding his term, he didn’t retire quietly. From 2016 to 2021, he served as Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, retaining cabinet-level rank and pushing forward governance reforms.

Even in his 90s, he remained active during election campaigns and public life, using his oratorical signature: pausing, stressing, refrains—the hallmark of a rustic, relatable communicator.

8. The Farewell: Mourning a Giant

Following his death from a cardiac arrest on July 21, Kerala observed three days of state mourning—government offices and schools closed, and flags flown at half-mast.

His mortal remains were paid tribute in Thiruvananthapuram’s Durbar Hall before being taken to Alappuzha. Throngs of people—from laborers to celebrities—stood in line to honor the man known as “Kerala’s people’s hero”.

9. Voices Remembering “Comrade V.S.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented on X:

“We are saddened by the death of Shri V. S. Achuthanandan Ji, the former chief minister of Kerala. … I recall our interactions when we both served as Chief Ministers.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote on X:

“A glorious era of revolutionary will and persistence comes to an end… Adieu, and Lal Salaam, Comrade VS.” Actor Mohanlal, speaking as a friend:

“…A tearful tribute to the people’s hero… He will never die in the minds of Malayalis.” Tributes also came from across India: Shashi Tharoor remembered him as a “giant”, while Andhra’s leaders—including Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and N. Chandrababu Naidu—praised his discipline and people-first attitude.

Even Kerala expatriates in the UAE credited him with initiatives like the Malayalam Mission, underscoring his Gandhian desire to uplift communities far beyond state borders.

10. Legacy etched in Red & Respect

Achuthanandan embodied:

• Mass Mobilization: Rooted in grassroots worker movements.
• Moral Independence: Unafraid to oppose party or government immorality.
• Longevity with Dignity: Life spanning colonial rule to 21st-century India.
• Policy Impact: Infrastructure, governance, welfare—all with a human face.
• Symbolism: Kerala’s last living link to the founding Marxist generation.

He was often called “Kerala’s Fidel Castro”—not for authoritarianism, but for presence, conviction, and mass connection.

11. Why V. S. Matters to Us Today

• In an age where politics often conflate ideals with tactics, Achuthanandan remained an idealist.
• His life reminds us that age is not a barrier—leadership, purposeful action, and activism can thrive even in one’s 90s and beyond.
• He challenged corruption, environmental negligence, and social injustice consistently—teaching future generations that dissent can be respectful and necessary.
• His narrative—working-class orphan to CM at 83—stands as proof that true democratic leadership can arise from the margins.

12. A Lasting Script for Future Generations

V. S. Achuthanandan’s journey from adversity to authority underscores timeless truths:

• Empathy rooted in experience is a powerful political currency.
• Maintaining personal integrity can elevate a public role into a moral one.
• Grassroots movements matter: whether it’s labor rights, environmental campaigns, or anti-corruption crusades.
• Public memory cherishes authenticity: as seen in the grief expressed across ages and ideologies.

Final Reflections

He demonstrated that character matters—grasps of people’s dear hopes, consistent positions, and a lifelong sense of responsibility.

From the tailor shop in Alappuzha to the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram—the story of “Comrade V.S.” is Kerala’s story. His has been a life of consistency, courage, and community. And his legacy doesn’t end in July 2025—but continues in every protest for justice, every fight against corruption, and every voice raised for the marginalized.

As Kerala closes this chapter, the red salute echoes on—not just in red flags, but in the conscience of a new generation. And in that echo, Comrade V.S. lives on.

Disclaimer

This blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available news reports, verified sources, and recent media coverage as of July 2025. While every effort has been made to present factual and updated information, readers are advised to refer to official news outlets or government statements for the latest updates. The opinions expressed are for general understanding and do not reflect any political bias or endorsement. Factnest Media does not assume responsibility for any interpretations made by readers based on this article.