V. S. Achuthanandan (1923-2025) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Politician
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	20/10/1923
Age	101 years (died on 21, Jul, 2025)
Birthplace	Alappuzha, Kingdom of Travancore, India
Date of Death	21/07/2025

Latest News about V. S. Achuthanandan

21/07/2025

V. S. Achuthanandan, the veteran communist leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, passed away on July 21, 2025, at the age of 101 in Thiruvananthapuram. He was recognized as one of the founding members of the CPI(M) and the only surviving Keralite senior-most founder-leader of the party at the time of his death.

Do you like V. S. Achuthanandan?

You can vote only once.

Bio/Wiki

Full Name	Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan
Nickname	Fidel Castro of Kerala
Famous for	Being Chief Minister of Kerala and founding member of CPI(M)

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 5" (165 cm)
Weight	65 Kg (143 lbs)
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Grey

Educational Qualification(s)

Studied up to III form (7th standard)

Personal Life

Food Habit	Non-vegetarian

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Widower

Family

Father	Sankaran
Mother	Accamma
Siblings	1 elder brother
Spouse	K. Vasumathy
Children	V. A. Arun Kumar V. V. Asha

Career

Political Party	Communist 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 1939 – Entered politics through trade union activities 1946 – Participated in Punnapra-Vayalar uprising; went underground 1946 – Arrested and imprisoned for five years and six months 1948 – Arrested following the ban on the Communist Party 1959 – Elected to the Party's National Council 1996 – Served as Convenor of Left Democratic Front (LDF) 2021 – Completed tenure as 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
Chief Minister Achievements (2006-2011)	Significant increase in IT exports during tenure Development of Vallarpadam Port Expansion of TechnoPark and establishment of IT parks Refurbishment of Malarpuzha Tourist Destination Creation of AshtaMudi Tourism Circuit Demolition drives in Munnar and Kochi to reclaim illegally occupied land Dismantling of the state's unlawful lottery syndicate Strong stance against film piracy Infrastructure improvements including restoration of road shoulders in Kochi

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Achuthanandan faced hardships in his childhood with both parents passing away during his youth.
2. He ceased formal education after 7th standard and started working in his brother's tailoring shop.
3. His work in the coir factory led him to organize coir workers against exploitative conditions.
4. Participated in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising and was arrested, enduring torture that resulted in bayonet wounds.
5. Became politically active in the late 1930s and took significant steps in the labor movement.
6. Opposed government policies deemed harmful to local agriculture during his leadership.
7. He made headlines by embarking on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala unaided, showcasing his resilience.
8. His government made significant strides in IT sector development, helping Kerala surpass the national average in exports.
9. Achuthanandan launched anti-land grab drives and took legal actions against illegal encroachments.
10. He was one of the 32 founding leaders who left the National Council of the Communist Party of India to form the CPI(M).
11. He went underground a total of four and a half years across multiple periods (1946, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1965, and 1975) for various political struggles.
12. He was the only surviving Keralite senior-most founder-leader of the CPI(M) at the time of his death.

V. S. Achuthanandan Politician Indian Alappuzha, Kingdom of Travancore, India