A Life for the People: Remembering Comrade V S Achuthanandan
Pinarayi Vijayan
THE life of Comrade V S Achuthanandan, who passed away at the age of 101 on July 21, 2025 is a remarkable chapter in the history of Kerala in general and in the context of the state’s revolutionary movement in particular.
Comrade VS, as he was called, was a symbol of an enduring tradition of struggle, extraordinary resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice. His century-long life, marked by tireless working for the people and unwavering support in their hour of need, is closely interwoven with the modern history of Kerala. His contributions as a leader of the Kerala government, the CPI(M), the Left Democratic Front, and the opposition at various points in time are truly unparalleled. History will remember these contributions as integral to Kerala’s rich political legacy.
The passing of VS marks the end of an era. It is a profound loss for the Party, for the revolutionary movement and for the broader democratic progressive movement. The Party can only strive to fill this void through collective leadership. For those who worked alongside him for decades, this is a time when countless memories come flooding back.
VS’s life was eventful, marked by boundless energy and a remarkable capacity to endure. His was a life rooted in struggle – a living chapter in both the history of Kerala and the Communist movement. From organising workers’ and peasants’ uprisings to fighting against the entrenched forces of feudalism and casteism, he played a decisive role in shaping the state's political landscape. Rising from humble beginnings, he ascended to the highest office in the state as chief minister – through every step of the Communist movement’s growth.
Comrade V S Achuthanandan was one of the 32 leaders who left the National Council of the Communist Party of India and went on to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1964. With his passing, the last living link to that history is gone. In his death, we have also lost a valuable political presence—one that bridged the legacy of the national freedom struggle with the realities of contemporary politics.
As a communist leader, as a member of the legislative assembly, as a leader of the opposition, and as a chief minister, VS made numerous and lasting contributions. A name synonymous with the Punnapra-Vayalar struggle, he rose through a life shaped by hardship, endurance, and unwavering commitment to the people.
Beginning as a worker, VS became a powerful leader of the working-class movement. The Party developed VS, and in turn, VS developed the Party. He joined the Communist Party in 1940 at the young age of 17 and remained a committed member for 85 years. In Kuttanad, he led the struggle to abolish wage and caste slavery among agricultural workers. Walking through villages, convening meetings, and building worker unity, he organised the oppressed into a strong political force, often in defiance of landlords and police repression.
VS played an irreplaceable role in the formation of the Travancore Agricultural Workers Union, which later evolved into the Kerala State Agricultural Workers Union, one of the state's largest and most influential labour movements. The countless struggles he led transformed the social landscape of Kuttanad. He was at the forefront of movements demanding better wages, the abolition of the chappa system, job security, and redistribution of surplus land. His tireless efforts to build confidence and unity among workers – walking for miles along the ridges of fields, visiting their huts, and speaking directly with workers – drew thousands into the movement.
Following the ban on the Communist Party in 1948, VS was arrested. By 1952, he had become the Party’s Alappuzha division secretary. During this time, he was actively involved in agitations for a united Kerala. When the Communist Party came to power in 1957, he was appointed Alappuzha district secretary and soon after became a member of the state secretariat. In 1959, he was elected to the Party’s National Council. He led many brave struggles including the fight for surplus land redistribution.
Comrade V S Achuthanandan served multiple prison terms totalling more than five and a half years. He had been a member of the CPI(M) Central Committee since its formation in 1964 and was inducted into the Polit Bureau in 1985. He served as the CPI(M) state secretary from 1980 to 1992 and as the LDF Convener from 1996 to 2000. At the 21st Party Congress held in Visakhapatnam in 2015, he stepped down from the Central Committee due to advanced age but continued to be associated with it as a special invitee.
He served as the leader of the opposition from 2001 to 2006, then as chief minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011, and once again as leader of the opposition from 2011 to 2016. In every position he held, VS left an enduring and distinct mark.
Having personally experienced the hardships of agricultural and coir workers, VS transformed those experiences into political strength. As a leader who stood steadfastly for the liberation of the exploited, he propelled both the agricultural workers' movement and the broader communist movement with resilience and determination. Following the split in the Communist Party, he fought against revisionism and later resisted the tide of left-wing extremism, playing a pivotal role in keeping the Party united and on the correct track.
VS’s vision extended well beyond politics. He worked actively in the fields of environmental protection, human rights, and gender equality. It was through these wider engagements that he earned broad public respect. He helped bring many socially significant issues into the political mainstream, expanding the scope of left politics in Kerala.
As a legislator, VS made numerous significant contributions. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Ambalappuzha in 1967 and 1970, from Mararikulam in 1991, and from Malampuzha in Palakkad district from 2001 to 2021. He also served as the chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission from 2016 to 2021. During his tenure as chief minister, he led Kerala forward by implementing the policies formulated by the Party and the Left Democratic Front. He led the government with unwavering strength even in times of crises. As leader of the opposition, he championed people’s issues and played an active role in legislative debates.
VS Achuthanandan was a towering figure in Kerala’s political history.
The passing of Comrade VS is an irreparable loss for the Party, for Kerala, and for the country. Yet, his legacy will endure – continuing to inspire generations committed to justice, equality, and the cause of the people.
