V. S. Achuthanandan Biography: Age, Wife, Career, and Personal Life of Kerala’s Communist Icon
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, popularly known as V. S. Achuthanandan, is one of the most prominent and veteran Indian politicians associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Known for his honesty, simplicity, and unwavering commitment to leftist ideologies, Achuthanandan has been a towering figure in Kerala politics for decades. He served as the 11th Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011 and has played a vital role in shaping the political landscape of the state.
Early Life and Background
V. S. Achuthanandan was born on 20 October 1923 in Punnapra, Alappuzha District, Kerala, into a poor farming family. His early life was marked by hardships — he lost both parents at a young age and had to discontinue formal education in Class VII. However, his passion for social justice and equality drew him to the communist movement in the early 1940s.
| Full Name | Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan |
| Also Known As | V. S., Comrade VS |
| Born | 20 October 1923, Punnapra, Alappuzha, Kerala |
| Died | 21 July 2025 (aged 101), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Parents | Sankaran (father); Akkamma/Accamma (mother) |
| Education | Studied until 7th standard; formal education ended early |
| Early Work | Tailoring shop assistant; coir factory worker |
Personal Life
- Spouse: K. Vasumathy (m. June 1967), known as “Vasumathy sister”, also a CPI(M) member
- Children: Son – V. A. Arun Kumar; Daughter – V.V. Asha
- Grandchildren: Not publicly documented.
- Home Life: Remembered as a stoic yet deeply caring family man; disciplined daily routine, remained intellectually engaged even in old age.
🏛️ Political Career
- Early Activism
- Joined Communist Party of India at ~17 (1940); organized coir and agricultural workers in Kuttanad
- Active in the 1946 Punnapra‑Vayalar uprising; spent ~5 years in jail, ~4.5 years underground
- CPI(M) Leadership
- One of 1964 CPI(M) founding members
- Rising through ranks: Alappuzha district secretary (1956), state committee (1957), national council (1958), state secretary (1980–1991), politburo member (1985–2009)
- Legislative Record
- Elected MLA seven times:
- Ambalappuzha (1967, 1970), Mararikulam (1991), Malampuzha (2001, 2006, 2011, 2016)
- Served as Leader of Opposition three terms (total 15 years—the longest in Kerala)
- Chief Minister of Kerala (May 2006–May 2011); was oldest ever at 82
- Elected MLA seven times:
- Post-CM Work
- Chaired Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission (2016–2021); resigned Jan 2021
🌟 Achievements & Legacy
- Grassroots advocacy: championed labour rights, land reforms, anti-corruption, caste justice, and environmental issues
- Chief Minister initiatives:
- Munnar land-encroachment demolition
- Cochin road widening, lottery mafia crackdown, film piracy elimination
- IT developments: InfoPark, Vallarpadam container terminal, Kollam IT expansion, eased Kannur Airport proposals
- Moral compass: widely regarded as the conscience of Kerala politics; upheld ideological discipline yet supported moral independence (e.g., blood‑donation during Indo‑China war)
- People’s Respect: followings like “You are our eyes… long live Comrade VS!” demonstrate his cult-like status
🕊️ Death & Tributes
- Cause & Circumstances: Hospitalized after cardiac arrest (June 23, 2025); passed at 3:20 pm IST on 21 July 2025 at private hospital
- Age: 101 years old
- Eulogies:
- CPI(M): “architect of Kerala’s progressive journey,” “voice of the voiceless”
- Kerala leaders, statewide mourning; his passing called “the end of an era”—“red crusader” & CPI(M) founder
🔎 Conclusion
V. S. Achuthanandan embodied the ideals of integrity, discipline, and people’s advocacy throughout his life—from joining the Communist movement in 1940, enduring imprisonment and underground struggle, to serving as Chief Minister and long-time opposition leader. Deeply rooted in family values and public devotion, he left a legacy that shaped Kerala’s modern political and social landscape.
