I deeply condole the passing away of Comrade VS Achuthanandan, veteran CPI (M) leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala today (21.07.2025) afternoon at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 102 years. While working in the Aspinwal Coir Company in Alappuzha, Com Achuthanandan started organising the workers of the Company. He had struggled to organise the agricultural workers of Alappuzha District who were undergoing appalling exploitation at the hands of landlords. He was one of the leaders who led the famous Punnapra-Vayalar Uprising in 1945 which was part of the freedom movement. Though he went underground, he was arrested and put to inhuman torture. A mass leader, Com Achuthanandan led various struggles in Kerala.
Com Achuthanandan was the last surviving leader among the 32 members of the National Council who left CPI to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during 1964. He was the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011.
His death is a great loss to the Communist movement in the country. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family members of Comrade VS Achuthanandan.
D. Ayyappan
Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organizing Committee