VS Achuthanandan dies at 101: Kerala declares public holiday, three-day mourning

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala plunged into mourning on Monday following the death of former Chief Minister and Communist icon V S Achuthanandan, aged 101.

The state government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday, July 22, and three days of official mourning. All government offices, public sector undertakings, educational institutions, and autonomous bodies will remain closed. Banks across the state will also remain shut.

Achuthanandan breathed his last at 3:20 p.m. at SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after suffering a heart attack. He had been on ventilator support since June 23, following a cardiac arrest at his son’s residence.

Shortly after his passing, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPM General Secretary M A Baby, and senior leaders received his mortal remains at the hospital. A large crowd of party workers and supporters gathered outside, chanting slogans and breaking down in tears.

His body was taken to the AKG Centre — the CPI(M)’s former state headquarters — where it was kept for party workers and leaders to pay their respects. It will later be moved to his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. On Tuesday morning, the body will lie in state at the Secretariat’s Durbar Hall for the public to offer homage. By afternoon, the mortal remains will be taken to Alappuzha, where the cremation will be held on Wednesday at Valiyachudukad cremation ground.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, writing on social media:

“Saddened by the passing of former Kerala CM Shri VS Achuthanandan Ji. He devoted many years of his life to public service and Kerala’s progress. I recall our interactions when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this sad hour.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee noted, “Affectionately known as ‘VS’, he was the last surviving member among the founding leaders of the CPI(M).”

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan detailed the funeral arrangements and described the AKG Centre as the political base where VS spent decades of his life. “His body will be taken to the CPI(M) district office in Alappuzha on Wednesday before the final rites,” he said.

Following the announcement of his death, party flags were lowered to half-mast and black flags hoisted at CPI(M) offices across the state.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Achuthanandan's death marks the end of a generation.

“VS will go down in history as a relentless fighter for people’s rights. His contribution as a trade unionist, legislator, opposition leader, and Chief Minister is unmatched. His absence leaves a deep void.”

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan said VS transcended his party identity to become one of Kerala’s tallest leaders. Former Defence Minister A K Antony, who had sparred with Achuthanandan in the Assembly during their respective tenures, also visited the AKG Centre to pay his last respects.

Even political rivals, including Maria Oommen — once sharply criticised by VS in the Assembly — took to social media to say, “Rest in peace, comrade.”

Achuthanandan, a founding member of CPI(M) after its split from the CPI in 1964, was the party’s oldest and most recognisable face in Kerala politics. His death brings down the curtain on a remarkable chapter in India’s Left movement.