VS Achuthanandan Passes Away at 101: End of a Political Era in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Chief Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) stalwart VS Achuthanandan has passed away at the age of 101, marking the close of a defining chapter in Kerala’s political journey. Widely regarded as one of the few remaining links to India’s earliest communist movements, Achuthanandan died on Monday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
His health had declined significantly following a cardiac arrest on June 23. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Finance Minister KN Balagopal, and CPI(M) state secretary, among other senior leaders, had paid visits to the hospital earlier in the day. Despite efforts from the medical staff, the veteran leader breathed his last, surrounded by close aides and family.
“Comrade VS Achuthanandan has left an indelible mark on Kerala’s governance, fiercely standing for workers’ rights and democratic principles,” a CPI(M) spokesperson said.
Timeline of Events: The Final Days
VS Achuthanandan had been admitted to the hospital last month, following complications related to heart health. He had experienced a serious cardiac arrest on June 23 that aggravated his already fragile condition. Since his 2019 stroke, public appearances had all but ceased, with only occasional updates surfacing about his health.
His condition remained critical throughout July. On July 29, concerns intensified, prompting high-level visits. The state’s top political figures, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, arrived at the hospital, many of them reportedly aware this could be their final goodbye. That same day, hospital staff confirmed his vital signs were weakening. By evening on Monday, the official announcement of his death came from party officials.
VS Achuthanandan’s Political Life in Snapshot
- Born: October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha district, Kerala
- Joined politics inspired by anti-feudal movements and workers’ struggles
- Founding member of CPI(M) after the 1964 split in the Communist Party
- Kerala Chief Minister (2006-2011)
- Became CPI(M) state secretary from 1980 to 1992
- Contested 10 legislative assembly elections, winning 7
That kind of longevity in public service is uncommon. Possibly even unheard of. He first faced the grind of electoral politics contesting from Ambalapuzha and though he lost that debut in the assembly election, it didn’t define his story. What followed was a lifetime of grassroots action, public accountability and miles of political organizing.
Official Statements: Tributes Pour In
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the passing of VS was a huge blow not just to the CPI(M), but to the people of Kerala.
“VS showed with his life that political integrity matters. He represented the values of struggle, fairness, and good governance. His life was filled with sacrifices,” said Vijayan.
Finance Minister KN Balagopal echoed the sentiment, calling Achuthanandan “an uncompromising leader who lived for the people and their dignity.”
At party offices across the state, red flags were observed at half-mast. Crowds gathered to leave flowers, notes, and candles in silent, vulnerable moments of mourning. Several leaders from across party lines paid brief tributes, acknowledging his commitment to public welfare beyond party labels.
Community Response: A Different Kind of Grief
It’s hard to explain exactly what Achuthanandan meant for Kerala’s ordinary people. To some, he was the fierce campaigner who never faltered; to others, especially younger activists, he was the beat of a purer version of Kerala politics that seemed already fading. His speeches stirred emotions. His Friday press conferences used to be legendary around the Secretariat in the 2000s—direct, unfiltered, and yes, sometimes a bit unpredictable.
A schoolteacher in Malampuzha, where Achuthanandan last contested and won in 2016, said, “He didn’t just win elections here; he felt like one of us. We knew what he stood for.”
Social media, too, was flooded with user tributes. But perhaps the real tribute lies in people remembering what he stood for—fair wages, clean governance, free speech, and dignity for all.
Achievements as Chief Minister (2006–2011)
Even by the strict yardstick of Kerala politics, his term from 2006 to 2011 was marked by sharp interventions into corruption and land encroachments. His anti-endosulfan campaign and push for environmental protections earned him a wide base of support beyond traditional Left lines.
Under his leadership, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) almost retained power in 2011, falling just two seats short of a majority. It was almost poetic. The old guard had played its final card, and the message came through—fighting to the very end.
What’s Next? Farewell Plans and Public Mourning
The state government is planning a full-state funeral with police honors. A final procession is expected to move through Thiruvananthapuram city, passing across key areas where he once held rallies or debates. Thousands are likely to turn up, perhaps in silence, some in slogans.
Condolence messages from across India are expected. Leaders from Delhi and Kolkata may attend the state ceremonies. Once laid to rest, talks have already begun within CPI(M) circles about preserving his legacy through educational campaigns or archives.
Why It Matters
Why does this death weigh heavy? Maybe because we lost a man who didn’t just speak politics; he breathed it. He may not have always been agreeable, but he never seemed insincere. In today’s noise, someone who stood a bit apart, with an old stubborn dignity, can be easy to miss—but much harder to replace.
Kerala will mourn VS Achuthanandan not just as a politician, but as a phenomenon. And in time, maybe remember him as someone who kept walking long after others had stopped.
