On July 21, 2025, VS Achuthanandan, one of the last surviving architects of India’s communist movement, passed away at the age of 101. Kerala, a land where politics breathes deep into culture, went silent. And not because a former Chief Minister died — but because a conscience keeper, a man who once said “I came with empty hands, and I leave with clean hands,” left a nation staring at its own moral compass.
He wasn’t just a politician.
He was a movement, wrapped in simplicity, fire, and relentless belief.
There are deaths that make headlines.
And then there are deaths that close a chapter of history.
Who Was VS Achuthanandan?
He Born on October 20, 1923, in Alappuzha, Kerala, Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan came from humble roots. Orphaned at a young age, he left school early and began work as a bookbinder — the kind of backroom job that wouldn’t usually produce a revolution. But in his case, it did.
In the 1940s, he joined the trade union movement, quickly rising through ranks by sheer grit and loyalty to the cause. He was imprisoned, tortured, and watched his comrades fall — but he never let go of the red flag.
In 1964, when ideological rifts split the Communist Party, he was one of the 32 leaders who founded CPI(M) — marking a decisive moment in Indian political history.
Despite limited formal education, Achuthanandan was a voracious reader, a sharp thinker, and a powerful orator. His rise was not engineered by dynasty or influence. It was earned — on the streets, in strikes, and among the people.
The Firebrand Politician Kerala Feared & Loved
Achuthanandan was not soft-spoken.
He was blunt, brutally honest, and occasionally controversial.
But in a world of well-rehearsed politicians, that’s exactly what made him stand out.
He gained a fierce reputation for being a people’s warrior — whether it was evicting illegal resorts in Munnar, exposing corruption, or clashing with powerful industrial lobbies. He openly criticized his own party when he felt it was compromising ideology for convenience. Even within CPI(M), he was a rebel who spoke truth to comrades.
His press conferences were fiery, unfiltered, and often made headlines. His most talked-about comment — after the 26/11 attacks — where he criticized political apathy toward a martyr’s family, drew both outrage and admiration. Love him or hate him, no one could ignore him.
In the age of party scripts and PR-managed silence, VS Achuthanandan was a voice that refused to lower its pitch.
His Tenure as Chief Minister
When VS Achuthanandan became Chief Minister of Kerala in 2006, he was already 83 years old.
But age did not slow him down. If anything, his governance was a continuation of his lifelong activism — bold, people-first, and stubbornly principled.
Major Initiatives During His CM Tenure:
- Munnar Evictions:
One of his most defining moves was the mass eviction drive in Munnar, where hundreds of illegal encroachments — including resorts and landholdings by powerful interests — were demolished. The operation faced legal, political, and media pressure, but he stood firm. It became a landmark in environmental protection and land reform in India. - People-Centric Development:
He prioritized public healthcare, education, and rural infrastructure. Under his leadership, Kerala pushed harder on the “People’s Plan Campaign” — an approach where local governments played a key role in development. - Digital Inclusion & Transparency:
Achuthanandan supported open-source software adoption in education, making Kerala one of the first states to reject expensive proprietary software deals — a move that helped save crores and promote transparency. - Anti-Corruption Stance:
His government initiated strong anti-corruption measures and took legal action in several controversial land and scam cases.
But his CMship was far from smooth.
Political Clashes Within CPI(M)
VS had frequent clashes with his then party rival, Pinarayi Vijayan, especially regarding the Lavalin case. The CPI(M) central leadership often sided with Pinarayi, leading to Achuthanandan being denied re-nomination in 2011, despite immense public support.
Even so, he accepted the party’s decision with discipline, proving once again that his loyalty was to the ideology, not personal power.
VS Achuthanandan Ideology & Inner Battles
VS Achuthanandan wasn’t a man of compromise.
He belonged to a generation of leaders who lived and breathed ideology — not just as political vocabulary, but as personal compass.
At his core, he believed in Marxist principles — class struggle, equitable distribution of land, labor dignity, and people’s ownership of power. And unlike many who used the red flag for symbolism, VS stuck to the substance.
Land for the Landless, Not Words
His early political life was shaped by the land reform movement — a campaign that made him a hero among peasants. Even decades later, as CM, he returned to this cause during the Munnar evictions.
He used to say, “The land does not belong to those who fence it, but to those who till it.”
Conflict with His Own Party
Ironically, many of his biggest battles were not with opposition, but within CPI(M).
He often questioned party decisions, exposed inner corruption, and refused to toe the line when he disagreed on ideology. He didn’t believe in blind loyalty. This made him both respected and isolated within the party.
In a party known for top-down discipline, VS Achuthanandan was the bottom-up resistance.
His Final Days: The Quiet Exit of a Giant
In the last few years of his life, VS Achuthanandan had quietly retreated from public view. Once the voice that roared in rallies and echoed in assemblies, now lived in silence — health declining, political activity ceased.
In June 2025, he was hospitalized after a cardiac arrest. The man who once marched miles barefoot for farmers’ rights now lay still in a hospital bed at SUT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
Even in his final days, the respect he commanded was evident:
- Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan — once his sharp rival — visited him at the ICU.
- CPI(M) leaders, media veterans, and social activists gathered around with silent prayers.
- Public memory overflowed with stories — of VS scolding ministers, protecting trees, evicting resorts, hugging tribal protestors.
And then, on July 21, 2025, at 3:20 PM, VS Achuthanandan took his last breath.
No grand speech.
No stage.
Just silence.
And a name that will never be forgotten.
Kerala declared state mourning, flags flew at half-mast, and lakhs poured out their grief — on streets, social media, and hearts.
His Legacy: A Clean Flame That Refused to Flicker
What do you leave behind when you’ve lived a hundred years?
In VS Achuthanandan’s case, you leave behind:
- No scandal
- No hidden empire
- No regret
Just a voice. And a set of values.
The Last of a Dying Breed
In a time where political loyalty is for sale and power comes with perks, VS was a man who chose to remain unbought, unbent, and unbroken.
He never built a dynasty.
He didn’t care for image makeovers.
He wore the same simple white mundu and spoke the same sharp Malayalam — whether in front of journalists or peasants.
He was Kerala’s conscience, a reminder that politics could be clean, and ideals could still win elections.
Kerala’s Fidel Castro
To many, he was affectionately called “Kerala’s Fidel Castro” — not just for his old-world charm, but for his unyielding courage and ideological discipline.
VS showed us that political power isn’t about staying in office — it’s about standing for something even when everyone else stops.
His death is not just a goodbye.
It’s a closing of a book.
A red-inked signature at the end of a long, honest paragraph in India’s political story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓
Q1. When did VS Achuthanandan die?
A: VS Achuthanandan passed away on July 21, 2025, at 3:20 PM in SUT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, following a cardiac arrest. He was 101 years old.
Q2. Why is VS Achuthanandan called “Kerala’s Fidel Castro”?
A: Because of his unwavering commitment to Marxist ideology, fearless speech, and anti-corruption stance, people often referred to him as “Kerala’s Fidel Castro.” He resembled the Cuban leader in both appearance and ideological passion.
Q3. What were VS Achuthanandan’s major achievements as CM?
A: As Chief Minister (2006–2011), he led:
- Munnar encroachment evictions
- Promotion of open-source software in education
- Anti-corruption drives
- Strengthening of public healthcare and infrastructure
He governed with people-centric policies and rejected corporate lobbying.
Q4. Was VS Achuthanandan ever part of CPI before CPI(M)?
A: Yes. He initially joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) in the 1940s, but after the party split in 1964, he became one of the 32 founding members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) — CPI(M).
Q5. What is the legacy of VS Achuthanandan?
A: His legacy is one of clean, courageous, and ideologically honest politics. He inspired generations of left-leaning leaders across India and remained a lifelong symbol of accountability, grassroots activism, and fearless dissent.
Final Thought: A Flame That Burned With Purpose
VS Achuthanandan didn’t live to be a celebrity.
He lived to be a servant of the people.
In a world where most leaders want to be remembered for what they built, he’ll be remembered for what he refused to build — personal empires, backdoor deals, and a fake smile.
He believed in a simple truth:
“If you stand with the people, they will carry your name farther than any statue ever could.”
And they will.
Even after 101 years, his journey won’t end here.
It will echo — in every act of defiance, every protest for justice, every young comrade picking up a red flag not for power, but for purpose.
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