Key Updates
- V.S. Achuthanandan, former Chief Minister of Kerala and lifelong CPI(M) stalwart, passed away on July 21, 2025, in Thiruvananthapuram at the age.
- Kerala has declared a three-day state mourning (July 22–24), with government offices and schools closed and the national flag at half-mast.
- His body lay in state at Durbar Hall (AKG Centre), where thousands paid homage before his procession to Alappuzha.
- Leaders across the spectrum, including CM Pinarayi Vijayan and PM Narendra Modi, expressed deep condolences, praising his unwavering dedication to public service .
His Legacy
- A founding figure of CPI(M) in 1964, Achuthanandan served as Kerala CM (2006–2011) and Leader of Opposition across three terms .
- Known for his fierce anti-corruption stance, environmental activism, and grassroots connection, he reclaimed public land in Munnar, dismantled the lottery mafia, and championed free software in education.
- His journey as a party rebel and reformer, battling internal factionalism and challenging powerful figures like Pinarayi Vijayan, marked him as a resolute ideologue .
Public Memory & Remembrance
- Referred to as “Kerala’s Fidel Castro” for his unwavering principles and populist appeal
- Described as “the voice of the toiling masses” and a defender of women’s rights, ecology, and working-class struggles
- His passing marks the end of a transformative era in Kerala politics—an enduring symbol of struggle, discipline, and mass connect.
What Comes Next?
- State mourning arrangements include funeral rites in Alappuzha and continued tributes across the state.
- Expect coverage on legacy-building, policy impacts, and reflections from political peers and grassroots supporters.
V.S. Achuthanandan’s life story spanned India’s freedom movement to cutting-edge environmental crusades—a journey that shaped modern Kerala. His departure leaves a profound void in public life but cements his place among the giants of Indian political history.
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Author: Nitin mittal
CA by qualification
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