V. S. Achuthanandan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
V. S. Achuthanandan
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Achuthanandan in 2016
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| 11th Chief Minister of Kerala | |
| In office 18 May 2006 – 14 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Oommen Chandy |
| Succeeded by | Oommen Chandy |
| 4th Chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission | |
| In office 3 August 2016 – 30 January 2021 |
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| Governor |
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| Preceded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) | |
| In office 29 December 1985 – 12 June 2009 |
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| Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Niyamasabha | |
| In office 18 May 2011 – 25 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Oommen Chandy |
| Succeeded by | Ramesh Chennithala |
| Constituency | Malampuzha |
| In office 17 May 2001 – 12 May 2006 |
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| Preceded by | A. K. Antony |
| Succeeded by | Oommen Chandy |
| Constituency | Malampuzha |
| In office 1 March 1992 – 9 May 1996 |
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| Preceded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Succeeded by | A. K. Antony |
| Constituency | Mararikulam |
| Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Kerala State Committee | |
| In office 1980–1992 |
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| Preceded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Succeeded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 2001–2021 |
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| Constituency | Malampuzha |
| In office 1991–1996 |
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| Constituency | Mararikulam |
| In office 1967–1977 |
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| Constituency | Ambalappuzha |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan
20 October 1923 Alleppey, Kingdom of Travancore, British India (present day Alappuzha, Kerala, India) |
| Political party | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| Residences | Punnapra North, Alappuzha, Kerala |
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan (born 20 October 1923) is an Indian politician. People often call him V. S. He served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. At 82 years old, he was the oldest person to become Chief Minister of Kerala.
He is a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). He also led the Administrative reforms in Kerala as its chairman from 2016 to 2021. V. S. Achuthanandan has been the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for 15 years. This makes him the longest-serving Leader of the Opposition in Kerala's history.
Achuthanandan was part of the CPI(M) Politburo from 1985 to 2009. He was later moved to the party's Central Committee. As Chief Minister, he took many important steps. These included reclaiming illegally occupied land in Munnar and Kochi. He also fought against film piracy and lottery mafias. He helped convict a former minister, R. Balakrishna Pillai, for corruption. Achuthanandan also strongly supported free software in Kerala. He especially promoted its use in public schools.
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Early Life and Start in Politics
V. S. Achuthanandan was born on October 20, 1923. His parents were Sankaran and Accamma. He was born in Punnapra, Alappuzha, which was then part of Travancore. He lost his mother when he was four and his father when he was eleven. This meant he had to stop school after the 7th grade. He began working to help his older brother in a tailoring shop. Later, he worked in a coir factory, making ropes from coconut fibers.
He became involved in politics through trade unions. These are groups that protect workers' rights. In 1938, he joined the State Congress. By 1940, he became a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI). He spent five and a half years in prison and four and a half years in hiding during his political career.
In 1964, he was one of 32 members who left the CPI to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He is the only one of those 32 members still alive today. He served as the Secretary of the Kerala State Committee for the CPI(M) from 1980 to 1992. He is considered the most senior leader of the CPI(M) in India.
Achuthanandan also led important land struggles in Kerala. These began with the Alappuzha declaration in 1970. This declaration demanded that the Land Reforms Act, passed in 1967, be put into action. His work as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly was also very popular with the public.
Election Results
| Election | Constituency | Result | Margin |
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| 1965 | Ambalappuzha | Lost | 2327 |
| 1967 | Ambalappuzha | Won | 9515 |
| 1970 | Ambalappuzha | Won | 2768 |
| 1977 | Ambalappuzha | Lost | 5585 |
| 1991 | Mararikulam | Won | 9980 |
| 1996 | Mararikulam | Lost | 1965 |
| 2001 | Malampuzha | Won | 4703 |
| 2006 | Malampuzha | Won | 20017 |
| 2011 | Malampuzha | Won | 23340 |
| 2016 | Malampuzha | Won | 27142 |
Chief Minister of Kerala (2006-2011)
In the 2006 Kerala assembly elections, V. S. Achuthanandan won against Satheesan Pacheeni. He won by a large number of votes in the Malampuzha area. On May 18, 2006, he became the Chief Minister of Kerala. He was 82 years and 7 months old, making him the oldest Chief Minister in Kerala's history. He was the 11th Chief Minister of the state.
2011 Assembly Election
The 2011 Kerala Legislative Assembly election was very close. The UDF won by only four seats against the LDF. Many people believed Achuthanandan was key to the LDF's strong performance. This was especially true after their losses in the 2009 Parliament and 2010 Municipal elections.
Initially, the CPI(M) did not want Achuthanandan to run in the 2011 election. However, there were many protests across the state. People used social media like Twitter and Facebook to show their support. Because of these protests, the CPI-M leadership allowed him to run. Achuthanandan ran from the Malampuzha Constituency again. He won with a margin of about 25,000 votes.
2016 Assembly Elections
After the 2016 elections, Achuthanandan was appointed as the Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission. This happened on August 3, 2016.
Major Achievements
In 2006, under Achuthanandan's leadership, the government decided to build an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Vallarpadam. Even though it was a central government project, his government worked hard to get the land needed for roads and rail lines. The International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi opened on February 11, 2011. It was India's first transshipment terminal and the first to operate in a SEZ.
The Technopark in Kollam was planned and built during Achuthanandan's time as Chief Minister. The idea for the first district IT park in Kerala at Kollam was announced in January 2009. Achuthanandan laid the foundation stone in February 2009. The park was expected to create 20,000 jobs and bring in 800 crores in investments. The first part of the park opened on February 15, 2011.
In 2009, Achuthanandan's government started work on Infopark Cherthala in Alappuzha. He opened this project on January 10, 2011. Kerala's IT sector was growing very fast. So, it became important to expand Infopark, Kochi, to nearby towns. Work on IT parks in Infopark Cherthala, Infopark Ambalappuzha, and InfoPark Thrissur was moving quickly. These are satellite units of Infopark, Kochi. Achuthanandan also laid the foundation stone for the second phase of Infopark at Kakkanad. This project is being built on 160 acres of land.
In 2008, Achuthanandan's government suggested building an International airport in Mattannur, Kannur. Two years later, on December 17, 2010, Achuthanandan laid the foundation stone for the Kannur International Airport. This marked the official start of construction. The then Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel, also attended the event.
In 2008, Achuthanandan's government approved the Kochi Metro rail project. This happened in a cabinet meeting on January 2, 2008. The project was then sent to the Central Government for approval.
- He started efforts to stop people from illegally taking over government land in Munnar. Munnar is a hill resort and tea plantation town.
- On December 30, 2007, he became the first Communist Chief Minister to visit Sabarimala by trekking. He was 84 years old and refused any help, even from his doctors.
- V. S. Achuthanandan supports the free and open source software movement in Kerala. Richard Stallman has also praised his work in this area.
- There were major developments in Thiruvananthapuram Technopark. This included the second and third phases of Technopark and Technocity.
- An IT park called Cyberpark was developed in Kozhikkode.
- IT exports grew significantly during his time as Chief Minister. This growth was faster than the national average.
- The Malampuzha Tourist destination underwent major renovations.
- The AshtaMudi tourism circuit was developed in Kollam.
- He worked to shut down illegal lottery operations in the state.
- He took strong action against resort mafias. This included an order to take over the Kovalam palace.
- The Chamravattom regulator cum bridge was a big project in Malappuram. It was finished during his time as Chief Minister.
- V. S. Achuthanandan filed and won a case against Manorama. The case was about Manorama illegally occupying 400 acres of land belonging to the Panthaloor temple.
Reclaiming Paddy Land
In 1996–97, the Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU) launched a protest. This protest was led by Achuthanandan. It aimed to stop the conversion of paddy fields into other types of land. This was a serious problem because it affected Kerala's food supply. However, the protest sometimes involved destroying crops. This led to some controversy. Achuthanandan himself stated that he did not approve of crop destruction. Years later, in November 2011, a minister from a different political party, K.P. Mohananan, said that such a protest was necessary. He agreed that converting paddy fields was a serious concern.
Personal Life
On October 20, 2023, V. S. Achuthanandan turned 100 years old.
Awards
- Pravasi Express Awards Lifetime Achievement Award 2013
- Ali Hassan Memorial Samskarika Samithi Award
- Velu Thampi Memorial National Award
- S Sivasankara Pillai memorial Award
- News Maker of the year Award
- Janasevana Praveen Award
- P Palpu Foundation Award
- PS John Endowment Award
- NC Sekhar Award
Books
- Samaram Thanne Jeevitham (സമരം തന്നെ ജീവിതം)
- Kerala Vikasana Sankalpangal
- Samarathinu Idavelakalilla
- Idapedalukalkku Avasanamilla
- Ayankali Muthal Pashimagatam vare (അയ്യങ്കാളി മുതല് പശ്ചിമഘട്ടംവരെ)
- Janapaksham (ജനപക്ഷം)
- Paristhithiyum Vikasanavum (പരിസ്ഥിതിയും വികസനവും)
- Irakal Vettayadappedumbol
See also
