Thiruvananthapuram: VS. For a long time, these initials stood as a synonym for resistance in the public conscience of Kerala. A leader of the masses, Velikkakath Sankaran Achuthanandan has led countless agitations during his eventful political life, succeeding in many and faltering in some, but always winning the hearts of the common people of Kerala. Even as the patriarch has been forced to confine himself to the backstage of mainstream politics in Kerala due to aggravated health conditions, the battles led by the man in the social landscape of Kerala are still cherished by thousands. As veteran CPM leader VS Achuthanandan, former Chief Minister of Kerala, turns 101 years old on October 20, what Kerala feels is the irreplaceable void left in the political spectrum as the result of the absence of VS. 

The tag ‘warrior of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising’ fits well with his image, as the man tirelessly waged battles against countless injustices in society, at times even against forces within his own party. A brave gladiator throughout his political career, VS was not afraid to take on powerful enemies, even within his own ranks. During his later years, as his party underwent a metamorphic transformation in its approach toward capitalism and bowed before the pressures of liberal forces, the man found himself isolated, with his supporters deserting him one by one to suit the changed political equation in the party. Still, as the only leader out of 32 who walked out of the CPI national council on ideological differences to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1964, he held on to his beliefs with conviction and walked with his head held aloft, unfazed by the changed scenario.

Always among the people 

Born on October 20, 1923, to Sankaran and Accamma in Punnapra, Alappuzha, VS lost his mother when he was four years old and his father at the age of 11. Forced to discontinue his studies at the age of 11, he started working by helping his elder brother in a tailoring shop. Later, he took up the job of meshing coir to make ropes at a coir factory.

Achuthanandan was at the forefront of land struggles in Kerala which had started in his home district, Alappuzha during his political formative years. Became a party member in 1940, he grew up in ranks through sheer commitment towards the people and unwavering courage before strong opposition against the party during the early days. Throughout his political journey, he faced a period of imprisonment lasting five years and six months. Actively participated in trade union activities during the early stages of his career, VS always found himself comfortable while moving among the common people. 

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VS Achuthanandan
A young VS giving a speech

It was the age of tall, committed legendary leaders like AK Gopalan and EMS Namboothiripad, who had led the party through difficult times with great vision and ideological firmness. Though not ideologically well-versed like his peers, VS rose through the ranks due to his unwavering commitment to the working class and common people. He always lived among the common party workers, drawing energy from their support. This helped him know the pulse of the common man while dealing with numerous issues during the turbulent years as opposition leader and later, as Chief Minister of Kerala.

Known for his toughness regarding party stance, VS ruthlessly dealt with his detractors in the party when people tended to compromise on communist values. Ironically, as his influence weakened and support eroded within the party, he too was subjected to merciless drubbing.

From 1980 to 1992, he served as the Kerala State Secretary of the CPM and was inducted into the Politburo in 1985. For a man with an active political career spanning around seven decades, he also had a relatively successful parliamentary experience. He won assembly elections in 1967, 1970, 1991, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016. In an extraordinary turn of events, Kerala witnessed unprecedented support from party cadres across the state when he was denied the party ticket during the 2006 assembly elections. As the protests threatened to affect the party’s chances in the elections, the CPM had to bow before the will of the people, granting VS the opportunity to fight the election. He duly won from Malampuzha and became the Chief Minister of Kerala. At 82, he was the oldest to assume the CM position in Kerala.

The unexpected defeat which changed the political landscape of CPM  

The defeat in Mararikkulam in the 1996 assembly elections was unexpected, as he was projected as the Chief Minister candidate of the LDF. Considered a strong LDF bastion, VS lost the battle in Mararikkulam by 1,965 votes to PJ Francis of Congress. Following this, EK Nayanar, who held the position twice before, became Chief Minister again. Soon, a witch hunt began, the reverberations of which lasted long in the party, causing decades-long factional feuds. 

Turbulent years as opposition leader 

His stint as opposition leader from 2001 to 2006 made VS the leader he is now. He was unrelenting in his approach and unblemished in execution. As the aging warrior marched forward, blazing all guns, the young Turks in the party stood in awe and bowed their heads in shame, unable to match his zeal and zest.  His activities as the leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly marked a resurgence in his political life and redesigned his career graph as a crusader and uncompromising leader of the mass. Incidentally, he holds the record for the longest-serving opposition leader (15 years) in the history of Kerala. 

During this tumultuous years as opposition leader, effectively silencing his critics, Achuthanandan led numerous campaigns addressing a wide range of pressing issues, including the sexual exploitation of young girls, corruption within influential circles, the destruction of forests, and encroachment of lands. These campaigns garnered support from a diverse array of socially conscious individuals, including human rights activists, environmental groups, intellectuals, academicians, scholars, and most importantly, the common people.

War within

During the later stages, his political career suffered significant blows as his arch rival in the party, Pinarayi Vijayan, grew in stature, literally controlling the party and gradually clipping the wings of the veteran leader. Still refusing to bow to the authoritarian tactics of his junior, VS continued his battles within the party, albeit without much success, as apart from a few intellectuals and common people, there was not enough support for him within a party that had changed its colors forever. During this phase that late MN Vijayan, literary critic and a great orator, described VS as “a man who draws strength by eating defeats”. 

In 2016, the LDF secured a huge win with 91 seats. VS was 92 at that time and actively campaigned for the party with much enthusiasm. Being the most recognizable leader at the forefront, he was considered for the chief minister's post. He won from Malampuzha against C. Krishnakumar by a margin of 27,142 votes. However, the scenes following it were not pleasing for him, as Pinarayi Vijayan emerged as the favorite of the central leadership and was appointed as CM.

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His wedding photo

Mass leader nonpareil

It is difficult to overlook the fact that no other contemporary political leader has gained the support of the masses as the veteran communists have. Achuthanandan has demonstrated steadfast commitment throughout his illustrious seven-decade-long political career. Despite facing health challenges, he has remained resolute and undeterred in his pursuit of public service until he completely withdrew from active politics a few years back. Away from the public scrutiny of political maneuvers and theatrics, he currently resides in the home of his son, V.A. Arun Kumar, in the state capital.

The political landscape of Kerala has undergone dramatic changes in his absence. How one wishes for the vitriolic tongue-lashing of VS against the regressive tendencies prevalent in both the political and social arenas. How one would like to see the tired old man waging a no-holds-barred attack against the corruption spread through all layers of society. How badly one wishes to see the battle-hardened veteran demolish the ramparts of authoritarianism and nepotism like a ruthless soldier committed to his cause. 

Alas, the battle is over. The soldier has retired and unsheathed his sword. It seems the patriarch is not aware of the sound and fury around him. Unmindful and totally detached with the material world which still demands the presence of him, the aged revolutionary goes through the proceedings in the twilight of his eventful life, forgetful of the countless battles he had led.