V.S. Achuthanandan, Communist Patriarch and Former Kerala CM, Passes Away at 101

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala – Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, popularly known as V.S. Achuthanandan, a towering figure in Indian politics and one of the country's most senior communist leaders, passed away today due to age-related ailments. He was 101.

His passing marks the end of an era for the communist movement in India. He was one of the last active political leaders who was part of the generation that founded the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in 1964.

A man of the masses, "Comrade VS" was known for his simple lifestyle, disciplined political career spanning over eight decades, and his unwavering, often rigid, ideological stance. His political journey began with trade union activities in his youth, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the communist party.

He served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. His tenure was marked by a relentless anti-corruption crusade and populist initiatives, including the controversial demolition drive against illegal encroachments in Munnar, which cemented his reputation as an uncompromising administrator. Even after his chief ministership, he remained a powerful voice in Kerala politics, serving as the Leader of the Opposition.

Leaders from across the political spectrum have expressed their condolences.

The Prime Minister of India remembered him as a "passionate leader whose decades-long service to the people of Kerala will always be remembered."

Kerala's current Chief Minister stated, "A guiding light of our movement has dimmed. Comrade VS was a leader who never strayed from his convictions. His loss is immeasurable, not just for the party, but for all of Kerala."

The state has declared a period of official mourning. His life, from a humble trade unionist to the state's highest office, remains a powerful chapter in the history of Indian democracy and the communist movement.