V. S. Achuthanandan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
V. S. Achuthanandan
|
|
|---|---|
Achuthanandan in 2016
|
|
| 11th Chief Minister of Kerala | |
| In office 18 May 2006 – 14 May 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Oommen Chandy |
| Succeeded by | Oommen Chandy |
| 4th Chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission | |
| In office 3 August 2016 – 30 January 2021 |
|
| Governor |
|
| Preceded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) | |
| In office 29 December 1985 – 12 June 2009 |
|
| Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Niyamasabha | |
| In office 18 May 2011 – 25 May 2016 |
|
| Preceded by | Oommen Chandy |
| Succeeded by | Ramesh Chennithala |
| Constituency | Malampuzha |
| In office 17 May 2001 – 12 May 2006 |
|
| Preceded by | A. K. Antony |
| Succeeded by | Oommen Chandy |
| Constituency | Malampuzha |
| In office 1 March 1992 – 9 May 1996 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Preceded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Succeeded by | E. K. Nayanar |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 2001–2021 |
|
| Constituency | Malampuzha |
| In office 1991–1996 |
|
| Constituency | Mararikulam |
| In office 1967–1977 |
|
| Constituency | Ambalappuzha |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan
20 October 1923 Alappuzha, Kingdom of Travancore, India (present-day Alappuzha, Kerala, India) |
| Died | 21 July 2025 (aged 101) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Political party | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| Spouse | K. Vasumathy |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | Punnapra North, Alappuzha, Kerala, India |
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan (20 October 1923 – 21 July 2025), often called VS, was an important Indian politician and a freedom fighter. 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 was a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He also led the opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for a total of 15 years, which is a very long time.
Achuthanandan was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from 1985 until 2009. He then became part of the party's Central Committee. As Chief Minister, he started many important projects. These included efforts to reclaim illegally occupied land and fight against illegal activities like film piracy and lottery scams. He also worked to promote free software in public education.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Achuthanandan was born on 20 October 1923 in Punnapra, Alappuzha, which was then part of Travancore (now Kerala, India). He faced challenges early in life, losing his mother when he was four and his father at age 11. 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 factory making ropes from coir.
Seeing how hard workers were treated in the coir industry, Achuthanandan started helping them organize in the 1940s. This was the start of his journey with the Communist movement. He worked with Communist leader P. Krishna Pillai. He also played a key role in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, a protest against the local ruler of Travancore. During this time, he was arrested and treated harshly. He spent over five years in jail and more than four years in hiding.
Achuthanandan was a leader in land reform efforts in Kerala. He pushed for the Land Reforms Act to be put into action. Later, his work as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly was well-received by the public.
Political Journey
Achuthanandan joined politics through his work with trade unions in 1938. In 1940, he became a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Throughout his long political career, he spent over five years in prison and four and a half years in hiding. In 1957, he became a state secretariat member of the CPI. During the Sino-Indian War in 1962, he organized blood donation drives for Indian soldiers. This action went against the CPI's official view and led to his arrest and removal from the party's state secretariat.
In 1964, he was one of 32 members who left the CPI to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was the Secretary of the Kerala State Committee for CPI(M) from 1980 to 1992. He was also a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from 1985 until 2009. He was known as one of the most senior leaders of CPI(M) in India.
Protecting Farmland
In the late 1990s, Achuthanandan led a movement to stop the conversion of paddy fields into other types of land. This was important for Kerala's food security. The movement, led by the Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU), aimed to highlight the serious problem of losing farmland. While there were some initial issues with crop damage during protests, Achuthanandan made it clear he did not approve of such actions. Years later, a minister from an opposing party agreed that such efforts to protect farmland were necessary.
In the 1990s and 2000s, VS became a very important leader. He led campaigns against illegal land grabs and worked to protect local water sources, like during the Plachimada Coca-Cola struggle. He also supported tribal communities during the Muthanga incident and fought for justice in the endosulfan tragedy.
| Election | Constituency | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Key Positions Held
- 1938 - Member, State Congress
- 1940 - Member, Communist Party of India
- 1952 - Division secretary, Communist Party of India (Alappuzha division)
- 1956 - District secretary, Communist Party of India (Alappuzha district)
- 1957 - State secretariat member, Communist Party of India (Kerala)
- 1958 - Member of National Council of Communist Party of India
- 1964 - Member Central Committee member of Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- 1967 - MLA, Ambalappuzha constituency (Term 1)
- 1970 - MLA, Ambalappuzha constituency (Term 2)
- 1980 - State secretary, CPIM Kerala
- 1985 - Member, Politburo of the CPIM
- 1991 - MLA, Mararikulam constituency (Term 3)
- 1992 - Leader of opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly (Term 1)
- 2001 - MLA, Malampuzha constituency (Term 4)
- 2001 - Leader of opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly (Term 2)
- 2006 - MLA, Malampuzha constituency (Term 5)
- 2006 - Chief Minister of Kerala
- 2011 - MLA, Malampuzha constituency (Term 6)
- 2011 - Leader of opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly (Term 3)
- 2016 - MLA, Malampuzha constituency (Term 7)
- 2016 - Chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission
Chief Minister of Kerala (2006–2011)
During the state elections in 2006, VS Achuthanandan won in the Malampuzha area. He became the Chief Minister of Kerala on 18 May 2006, leading a cabinet of 21 members. At 82 years and 7 months old, he was the oldest Chief Minister in Kerala's history. He became the 11th Chief Minister of Kerala. In 2009, the CPI(M) Politburo changed his party position due to some disagreements within the party.
As Chief Minister, V. S. Achuthanandan spoke out against the India–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. He believed it could harm Kerala's farmers who grow crops like coconut, pepper, and rubber. He wrote to the Prime Minister, explaining that this agreement could cause prices to drop and many people to lose their jobs.
In 2006, his government decided to build an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Vallarpadam. Even though it was a central government project, Achuthanandan's government worked hard to get the land needed for roads and railways. This terminal, which helps move goods between ships, opened on 11 February 2011. It was the first of its kind in India.
The Technopark in Kollam, a technology park, was started and built during Achuthanandan's time as Chief Minister. The idea for this park, which aimed to create 20,000 jobs, was announced in 2009. Achuthanandan laid its foundation stone in February 2009, and the first part of the park opened in February 2011.
In 2009, Achuthanandan's government also began work on Infopark Cherthala in Alappuzha. This project opened in January 2011. As Kerala's technology sector grew, it became important to expand IT parks to other towns. Achuthanandan also laid the foundation stone for the second phase of Infopark, Kochi, a large technology park.
In 2008, Achuthanandan's government suggested building an international airport in Mattannur, Kannur. Two years later, in December 2010, Achuthanandan laid the foundation stone for the Kannur International Airport, officially starting its construction.
In 2008, his government also approved the Kochi Metro rail project. This project was then sent to the Central Government for approval.
- He took action against people illegally taking over government land in Munnar, a hill resort area.
- On 30 December 2007, he became the first Communist Chief Minister to visit Sabarimala by trekking there.
- V. S. Achuthanandan supported the use of free and open-source software in the state.
- Major developments happened at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, including new phases and a new technology city.
- An IT park called Cyberpark was started in Kozhikode.
- During his time, IT exports from Kerala grew faster than the national average.
- The Malampuzha tourist area saw major improvements.
- The AshtaMudi tourism circuit was developed in Kollam.
- He worked to shut down illegal lottery operations in the state.
- He took strong action against illegal resort businesses, including taking over the Kovalam palace.
- He laid the foundation for the Chamravattom Regulator-cum-Bridge, a big project in Malappuram.
- VS won a case against a newspaper for illegally occupying land belonging to a temple.
After Being Chief Minister
2011 Assembly Election
The 2011 Kerala Legislative Assembly election was very close. The UDF won by only four seats against the LDF. Achuthanandan was seen as a key reason for the LDF's strong performance after earlier losses. Initially, his party did not want him to run in the 2011 election. However, many protests and public support, even on social media, led the party to change its mind. Achuthanandan then ran in the Malampuzha area and won by a large number of votes.
Standing for Justice
In 2012, after a serious incident, Achuthanandan openly supported the call for an investigation. He even visited the family of the person involved, showing his commitment to justice. This was seen as him taking an independent stand, even when it differed from his party's usual approach.
Changes in Personal Staff
In May 2013, three members of his personal staff were removed by the party's Politburo. This decision was made because they were accused of sharing information with the media. This event showed some of the internal discussions happening within the party.
Administrative Reforms Commission (2016-2021)
In 2016, at 92 years old, Achuthanandan won again from Malampuzha. Instead of becoming Chief Minister, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). This position had the same rank as a state cabinet minister. The ARC's job was to review and improve how the government works. Achuthanandan led efforts to make the government more efficient, transparent, and focused on citizens.
During his time as Chairman, the ARC submitted many reports with suggestions for improving government departments and financial management. He resigned from this role on 30 January 2021, due to health reasons. This marked the end of his long and active career in public service.
Personal Life and Passing
Achuthanandan was married to K. Vasumathy. They had two children, a daughter named V.V. Asha and a son named V. A. Arun Kumar.
On 20 October 2023, Achuthanandan celebrated his 100th birthday.
Achuthanandan passed away at Pattom SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, on 21 July 2025. He was 101 years old. He had been receiving treatment in the hospital for about a month after a heart issue.
Legacy and Impact
V. S. Achuthanandan was often called the "Fidel Castro of Kerala." This comparison was made because of his strong belief in communist ideas and his image as a leader who connected with many people. He greatly admired Fidel Castro, seeing him as an inspiration for fighting for rights and against unfair power.
Achuthanandan was known for living a simple life. Many people saw him as a leader with strong moral values and honesty, rather than just political power. An economist named Prabhat Patnaik said that Achuthanandan's influence came from his personal honesty and public trust. He was seen as a "rare beacon of moral authority."
He also encouraged revolutionary movements to stay true to their goals and avoid becoming too comfortable. As Chief Minister, he often spoke about the importance of protecting the interests of ordinary people. For example, he opposed trade agreements that he believed would harm Kerala's farmers.
Awards and Recognition
- Pravasi Express Awards Lifetime Achievement Award 2013
- Ali Hassan Memorial Samskarika Samithi Award
- Velu Thampi Memorial National Award
- S Sivasankara Pillai memorial Award
- Manorama news – News Maker of the year Award (2006)
- NC Sekhar Award
- The first Kerala Award instituted by Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union
Books Written
- Samaram Thanne Jeevitham (സമരം തന്നെ ജീവിതം)
- Kerala Vikasana Sankalpangal
- Samarathinu Idavelakalilla
- Idapedalukalkku Avasanamilla
- Ayyankali Muthal Pashimagatam Vare (അയ്യങ്കാളി മുതല് പശ്ചിമഘട്ടംവരെ)
- Janapaksham (ജനപക്ഷം)
- Paristhithiyum Vikasanavum (പരിസ്ഥിതിയും വികസനവും)
- Irakal Vettayadappedumbol
See also
