Veteran CPM leader Anathalavattom Anandan passes away

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior CPM leader and CITU state president Anathalavattom Anandan passed away at a hospital here on Thursday. The former legislator was 86. 

The veteran leader's end came while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital here for a prolonged illness, party sources said.

Anandan was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly in the years 1987, 1996, and 2006. From 2006 to 2011 he served as chief whip.  

Anandan was born to V. Krishnan and  Nani Amma in 1937 in Chirayinkeezhu. Anandan began his political career in 1954 by participating in an agitation seeking more wages for coir workers in his village. Fighting for the cause of the working class in the state, He played a key role in building the trade union base of the party in the state. He held many top posts in employee unions like Travancore Coir Thozhilali Union,  District Motor Workers Union, District Motor Workers Union, and SIDCO Employees Association. 

Anandan emerged as one of the popular trade unionists in Kerala politics. He participated in various agitations. He even went underground during the Emergency period and was declared wanted under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). He was arrested in 1976 and was detained in jail till liftin of Emergency. 

He was captain of Coir Worker's Union and "Pattini" march from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram.  He hoisted the CPM party flag at the state conference in 2022, which served as a run-up to the 23rd party congress. Anandan was also a prominent face of the CPM in the TV debates.

His body will be kept at the CPI(M) headquarters here on Friday for the public to pay homage.

His cremation will be held at Santhikavadam here at 5 pm on Friday, the party said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Finance Minister K N Balagopal, and leaders of various political parties including, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, and BJP state chief K Surendran condoled the demise of Anandan.