During my childhood, I have seen thousands of women agriculture workers in Cherthala taluk going to Thanneermukkam and Muhamma boat jetties with sickles before dawn. They returned at night. The wages they received were meagre. Their lives were like that of slaves, suffering a great deal of humiliation. V S Achuthanandan was the first leader to come forward to change that. That is how agricultural workers were assured of a decent wage and life.

I first met VS in Vayalar when I was a school student. Later, I met VS in Kuttanad when I was the KSU president. That relationship later turned into a personal friendship.

We were together in the Assembly. At that time, Achutha Menon was the Chief Minister. EMS was the Leader of the Opposition. VS and E Balanandan sat in the second row. It was VS who energised the opposition's protests, including shouting slogans.

We also worked together in the Left Front. At that time, Nayanar was the CPM secretary. But it was VS who did everything. He treated us all with respect. At that time, he initially offered us three ministerial posts. When we told him that we were having difficulties, VS intervened and increased it to four.

When I was the Chief Minister, VS was the Leader of the Opposition. As the Leader of the Opposition, he did not show any kindness or compromise to the government. But VS cautiously resolved many problems that were thought to be explosive.

It was during this period that he became the most popular leader in Kerala. He rushed wherever he felt there was injustice. VS Achuthanandan was a leader who was constantly present on the front lines of protests after AKG. VS was the Chief Minister who contributed remarkably to the development of Kerala. I was the Defence Minister at the Centre at that time. One day, VS called me stating that permission is not being granted for Kochi Metro. I need help with that. I am coming to Antony's office. I said that I would come to Kerala House to meet VS. I went there and had a discussion. VS said that Kochi Metro should somehow get permission. We both tried for that. It was during that time that Vizhinjam received defence permission.