Communist Veteran V S Achuthanandan Among Keralam's Greatest Contributions to Indian Left Movement: M V Govindan

Alappuzha: CPI(M) Kerala State Secretary M V Govindan said that veteran leader V S Achuthanandan is one of the most significant contributions made by Keralam and Alappuzha to the Indian communist movement. He also described P Krishna Pillai as one of the greatest intellectuals the country has produced and said V S was a thinker of the same stature in Keralam. Govindan was speaking after inaugurating the V S Achuthanandan memorial meeting at Valiyachudukadu in Alappuzha.

M V Govindan said V S dedicated his century-long life to the people and the Communist Party and emerged as one of the greatest revolutionaries the country has witnessed. He said that as Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, V S became one of the most influential figures in the lives of the people and remained one of Keralam's most beloved leaders.

Earlier, Govindan inaugurated the V S memorial, built at Valiyachudukadu where the martyrs of the historic Punnapra–Vayalar uprising are laid to rest. The mortal remains of V S, who led the Punnapra–Vayalar struggle, were cremated at the same site, where the CPI(M) later constructed the memorial. The memorial was designed by noted architect G Shankar.

Speaking at the memorial meeting, CPI(M) Alappuzha District Secretary R Naser delivered the welcome address, while State Secretariat member Saji Cherian presided over the function. CPI(M) Central Committee members Dr T M Thomas Isaac, K N Balagopal and C S Sujatha were among those who attended the event.

A public memorial meeting scheduled for 5 p m will be inaugurated by Polit bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan. A procession organised by the CPI(M) Alappuzha and Mararikulam area committees will begin from Thiruvanvandoor Junction, while another procession led by the Ambalappuzha, Thakazhi and Kuttanad area committees will start from Kalarkode Junction.

In the evening, rallies and public meetings will also be held at area centres across the district. P Rajeev will attend the event in Aroor, C N Mohanan in Cherthala Municipal Ground, M Swaraj at Puthanambalam in Kanjikuzhi, M V Jayarajan at Bhavani Mandiram in Haripad, V N Vasavan at Muttam Sree Ramakrishna Ashram Hall in Karthikappally, Puthalath Dinesan at Elmex Ground in Kayamkulam, P K Biju at Mankamkuzhi Junction in Mavelikkara, K K Shailaja at Charummoodu, K N Balagopal at Chengannur Market Junction, and K S Saleekha at Ennakkad Junction in Mannar.