The One and Only V S: A Life in Retrospect

V S Achuthanandan holds a unique place in Kerala’s political history. His life was forged in the fire of experience and struggle. Always standing with the people, he remained a leader deeply rooted in the public’s heart.

Milestones in His Life:

● October 20, 1923: Born to Shankaran and Akkamma of Venthalathara family

● 1927: Lost his mother Akkamma to smallpox

● 1934: Lost his father Shankaran; dropped out of school in 7th standard; joined a tailoring shop in Paravoor

● 1939: Became a member of the State Congress

● March 1940: Joined the Communist Party at age 17

● 1943: Participated in the first Communist Party conference held in Kozhikode

● 1946: Involved in preparations for the Punnapra -Vayalar uprising; arrested by police while in hiding at Poonjar

● 1948: Released from jail; remained underground until 1952 following the ban on the Communist Party

● 1952: Appointed Secretary of the Communist Party’s Alappuzha Division

● 1954: Became a member of the party’s State Committee

● 1956: Became Alappuzha District Secretary

● 1959: Became a member of the Communist Party National Council

● 1964: Left the National Council session, became a founding leader of CPI M; joined CPI M Central Committee

● 1962: During the India-China war, imprisoned for nearly a year on suspicion of being a Chinese spy

● June 18, 1967: Married K Vasumathi

● 1980–1991: Served three terms as CPI M State Secretary

● 1986: Inducted into the CPI M Polit Bureau

● June 1996 – July 2005: Chief Editor of Deshabhimani

● 1998–2001: LDF Convenor

● July 21 2025: Passed away

Electoral Journey:

● 1965: Contested from Ambalappuzha in the assembly election and lost; won in 1967 and 1970; lost in 1977

● 1991: Elected from Mararikulam, became Leader of the Opposition; lost here in 1996

● 2001–2016: Elected four times from Malampuzha constituency

● 1992–1996, 2001–2006, 2011–2016: Served as Leader of the Opposition

● 2006–2011: Chief Minister of Kerala

● August 3, 2016 – January 30, 2021: Chairman of the State Administrative Reforms Commission