Former Kerala Chief Minister and Marxist veteran, VS Achuthanandan, passed away on July 21, 2025, at the age of 101. He breathed his last in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after being treated for a cardiac arrest he suffered in June, according to CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss, tweeting:
“Saddened by the passing of former Kerala CM Shri VS Achuthanandan Ji. He devoted many years to public service and Kerala’s progress. I recall our interactions when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states. My thoughts are with his family and supporters during this sad time,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Fondly known as “VS,” Achuthanandan served as Kerala’s Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and was elected to the state assembly seven times. He was also the Leader of the Opposition for three terms. A founding member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Achuthanandan was known for his lifelong commitment to workers’ rights, land reforms, and social justice.
Born on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha district, to a worker’s family, Achuthanandan joined the State Congress in 1939 before moving to the Communist Party in 1940. His early political journey came with hardships, including being jailed for over five years and living underground for nearly four and a half years. He was pivotal in the formation of CPI(M) in 1964, after breaking away from CPI.
Also Read Man vs Machine: Human Coder Defeats AI In Programming Marathon
Achuthanandan’s political career spanned decades. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1967, 1970, 1991, and 2001. His role as the leader of the opposition and later as Kerala’s Chief Minister solidified his place as one of the most influential leaders in the state’s history. Though he retired from active politics due to age-related health issues, his legacy as a “revolutionary sun” in Kerala remains intact.
Share
Sitaare Zameen Par: When and Where to Watch Aamir Khan's Drama
Is Kartik Aaryan’s Film Really Aashiqui 3? Mohit Suri Responds
