Velikkakathu sankaran achuthanandan biography books

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V S Achuthanandan rose from the lower rungs of society to become the chief minister of Kerala. His political career was characterized by a consistent focus on issues of land reform, labor rights, and fighting corruption – causes that resonated deeply with the common man in Kerala. Three years later, Achuthanandan was selected as a delegate from Alappuzha in the party’s first state committee meeting in Kozhikode.

He was a rare figure whose personal integrity was never in question—a rarity in contemporary Indian politics.

After stepping down as Chief Minister in 2011, he continued to serve as Leader of the Opposition until 2016. She is also engaged in exploring the socio-economic diversity of Indian politics. Remarkably, he became Chief Minister at the age of 82, to be the oldest to hold the position in the state.

His tenure as Chief Minister was characterised by a series of impactful and often controversial decisions.

Achuthanandan led a crackdown on illegal encroachments in Munnar and other parts of the state, bulldozing powerful interests, including within his own party.

They were armed only with wooden spears. He did not have any money to buy books. The farm labourers were forced to work for a handful of rice. His life story is intertwined with the evolution of the Communist movement in Kerala, demonstrating how ideological conviction, coupled with an unwavering commitment to the people, can shape the destiny of a state.

velikkakathu sankaran achuthanandan biography books

Almost 50 of them were shot down. They were forced to pay the real wages after the workers and their leaders warned of legal action. The party responded fiercely, raising the slogan, ‘Throw the American model into the Arabian Sea.’ Hundreds of people turned up to protest the opening of more police camps. But adversity only sharpened his resolve.

He became something of a rebel within, respected and feared, admired and marginalised in equal measure. He remains an enduring symbol of struggle, resilience, and the power of a single individual to dedicate their life to a cause greater than themselves.

Geeta Singh

Geeta Singh has spent 20 years covering cinema, music, and society giving new dimensions to feature writing.

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Reference: Samaram Thanne Jeevitham by V S Achuthanandan (Pen Books, 2009)
Concept, script: G Ragesh | Illustrations: Sreekanth | HTML: Aneesh

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An Agricultural Workers’ Committee was formed with eight members to spearhead the protests. His simple lifestyle, direct communication style, and unblemished personal integrity endeared him to millions, earning him the moniker “People’s Commander.”

Even after stepping down from the Chief Minister’s office, VS remained an active and influential voice in Kerala politics.

After two weeks, however, he returned to Alappuzha, where the police had unleashed a reign of terror. When he joined the Aspinwall coir factory, it was natural for him to transform into a trade unionist to resist the anti-labour activities of the management.

After work, he would join the party study classes, led by legends like P Krishna Pillai, R Sugathan and C Unni Raja.