V. S. Achuthanandan Age, Wiki and Bio

V. S. Achuthanandan

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth20/10/1923
Age101 years (died on 21, Jul, 2025)
BirthplaceAlappuzha, Kingdom of Travancore, India
Date of Death21/07/2025

Bio/Wiki

Full NameVelikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan
NicknameFidel Castro of Kerala
Famous forBeing Chief Minister of Kerala

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 5" (165 cm)
Weight65 Kg (143 lbs)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorGrey

Personal Life

HometownAlappuzha, Kerala
Food HabitNon-vegetarian
Zodiac signLibra

Relationships & More

Marital StatusWidower

Family

FatherSankaran
MotherAccamma
Siblings1 elder brother
SpouseK. Vasumathy
Children
SonV. A. Arun Kumar
DaughterV. V. Asha

Career

Political PartyCommunist Party of India (Marxist) - CPI (M)
Political Journey
  • 1938 – Joined the State Congress
  • 1940 – Became member of the Communist Party of India
  • 1952 – Appointed division secretary, CPI (Alappuzha division)
  • 1956 – Took charge as district secretary, CPI (Alappuzha district)
  • 1957 – Inducted into the state secretariat of CPI (Kerala)
  • 1958 – Nominated to the National Council of the Communist Party of India
  • 1964 – Became Central Committee member, CPI(M)
  • 1967 – Elected as MLA from Ambalappuzha constituency for the first time
  • 1970 – Re-elected as MLA from Ambalappuzha constituency for the second time
  • 1980 – Took over as state secretary of CPI(M) Kerala
  • 1985 – Elevated to the Politburo of CPI(M)
  • 1991 – Elected as MLA from Mararikulam constituency for the third time
  • 1992 – Became Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly for the first time
  • 2001 – Elected as MLA from Malampuzha constituency for the fourth time
  • 2001 – Became Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly for the second time
  • 2006 – Re-elected as MLA from Malampuzha constituency for the fifth time
  • 2006 – Sworn in as Chief Minister of Kerala
  • 2011 – Elected as MLA from Malampuzha constituency for the sixth time
  • 2011 – Became Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly for the third time
  • 2016 – Re-elected as MLA from Malampuzha constituency for the seventh time
  • 2016 – Appointed Chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission
Awards & Achievements
  • 2006 – Manorama News – News Maker of the Year Award
  • 2013 – Pravasi Express Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2013 – Ali Hassan Memorial Samskarika Samithi Award
  • 2013 – Velu Thampi Memorial National Award
  • 2013 – S. Sivasankara Pillai Memorial Award
  • 2013 – NC Sekhar Award
  • 2024 – The first Kerala Award by Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union

Some Lesser Known Facts

Achuthanandan faced hardships in his childhood with both parents passing away during his youth.
He ceased formal education after 7th standard and started working in his brother's tailoring shop.
His work in the coir factory led him to organize coir workers against exploitative conditions.
Participated in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising and was arrested, enduring torture that resulted in bayonet wounds.
Became politically active in the late 1930s and took significant steps in the labor movement.
Opposed government policies deemed harmful to local agriculture during his leadership.
He made headlines by embarking on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala unaided, showcasing his resilience.
His government made significant strides in IT sector development, helping Kerala surpass the national average in exports.
Achuthanandan launched anti-land grab drives and took legal actions against illegal encroachments.