V.S. Achuthanandan: Kerala’s Revolutionary Communist Bows Out

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From Punnapra Uprising to Chief Ministership, Comrade VS Leaves Behind a Legacy of Grassroots Struggle and People-Centric Governance

By TRH Political Desk

NEW DELHI, July 21, 2025 — Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, widely revered as “Comrade VS,” a towering figure in Indian communist politics and a founding member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), passed away on Monday in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 101.

Achuthanandan had been battling age-related ailments and was admitted to the ICU at SUT Hospital following a cardiac arrest on June 23. His demise, political observers in Kerala noted, marks the end of a defining era in the state’s socio-political life.

A relentless champion of the poor and marginalized, Achuthanandan’s legacy is deeply rooted in his lifelong commitment to Marxist ideology, grassroots activism, and governance with a social conscience.

Born on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha, into a family of agricultural workers, his early life was marked by hardship. Orphaned at age 11, he dropped out of school and worked as a tailor. He entered politics at 16, inspired by communist icon P. Krishna Pillai.

His political awakening began with organizing coir workers and farm laborers. He was a key figure in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946, a landmark struggle against feudal oppression and colonial rule. Over his career, he spent more than five years in jail and four years underground — acts that cemented his image as a resilient fighter for justice.

Achuthanandan joined the Communist Party in 1940 and co-founded the CPI(M) in 1964 after the ideological split. His seven-decade-long political journey saw him serve as Kerala’s Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011, assuming office at 82 — the oldest to do so in the state’s history.

He served seven terms as an MLA, representing constituencies including Ambalapuzha, Mararikulam, and Malampuzha. As Leader of the Opposition for a record 15 years across three terms (1992–96, 2001–06, 2011–16), he played a critical role in holding governments accountable.

His tenure as Chief Minister was marked by bold reformist steps, including the high-profile Munnar demolition drive to reclaim encroached land, and greenlighting key infrastructure projects like the Vallarpadam transshipment terminal, Kochi Metro, and Kannur airport.

A gifted orator known for his sharp wit and rustic appeal, Achuthanandan mobilized public opinion through speeches laced with sarcasm and populist fervor. He led popular campaigns against the Coca-Cola plant in Plachimada and illegal lottery operations, often facing fierce resistance from within and outside his party.

Though his rivalry with fellow CPI(M) leader and current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan often made headlines, Achuthanandan remained a symbol of ideological purity and integrity within the party.

Describing him as a “standard-bearer for underdogs,” The Hindu lauded his progressive advocacy for environmental protection, gender equality, nurses’ pay, transgender rights, and free software promotion. Mathrubhumi called him a “revolutionary star” whose influence shaped Kerala’s political culture for decades, citing his pivotal role in the landmark 1970 Alappuzha land reforms declaration.

V.S. Achuthanandan’s death is not just the loss of a political leader, but of an era — one defined by class struggle, moral courage, and unwavering commitment to the people.

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