Veteran CPI(M) figure and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, 101, died today at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after long-term health issues.
Achuthanandan, a prominent figure in Kerala’s left-wing politics, climbed from humble beginnings and early educational disruption to become the state’s oldest chief minister at age 82. His tenure (2006–2011) was distinguished by robust battles against corruption, illegal land encroachment in Munnar, film piracy and lottery rackets. He also led land rights initiatives and promoted the use of free software in public education.
Aside from urban reforms, he spearheaded the Vettinirathal Samaram in 1997 to oppose paddy-field reclamation and, as Chief Minister, helped pass the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act (2008). His ongoing campaign for farmers and environmental protection solidified his role in creating Kerala’s socioeconomic fabric.
Who was Achuthanandan
Achuthanandan was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from 1985 to July 2009, when he was reverted to the party’s Central Committee due to his ideological inclinations. He was an Indian politician who served as Kerala’s Chief Minister between 2006 to 2011. At 82, he was the oldest individual to hold the office. He belonged to the Communist Party of India (Marxist). From 2016 to 2021, he was the chairman of Administrative Reforms in Kerala, holding a state cabinet rank. He was the longest-serving Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, having held the office for 15 years. He entered politics through trade union activities and joined the State Congress in 1938. In 1940, he joined the Communist Party of India (CPI). During his 40-year political career, he spent five years and six months in prison and four and a half years in hiding. In 1957, he served as a state secretariat member of the CPI. He is the only remaining member of the 32 who resigned the CPI National Council in 1964 to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Impact on Future Generations and Party Dynamics
Despite being dismissed from the Politburo in 2009, he remained a morale symbol, even after a stroke in 2019 restricted his public exposure. Colleagues, political enemies and the younger communist cadre all praised his unshakable ethics, outspoken approach and longevity in public office.
Achuthanandan’s death symbolizes the end of a watershed moment in Kerala’s contemporary political history, characterized by grassroots agitation, unwavering governance and principled leadership. His death is remembered as a watershed moment for the state’s democratic and socialist movements.
