'Will not bow down'; When CPM chose Paloli Mohammed Kutty over VS in 2006 elections

There was nothing attractive about his appearance, his demeanour, or his oratory skill at first glance. Despite these cons, people used to flock whenever Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan took the centre stage to deliver a speech. Thunderous applause followed at the end of speeches. Through the years, the charm and sway VS possessed remained intact, much to the chagrin of his detractors and those who wanted him to be given capital punishment.

Achuthanandan, despite being the face of CPM in Kerala, was robbed of a plain sailing ride with the party and its leadership. The fiery leader faced ostracism and was often at the receiving end of criticism for his uncompromising stance and decisions that often deviated from the party ethos. Moreover, at a time when the politics in Kerala were squalid, reeking of corruption, VS Achuthanandan remained an anomaly, a rare leader of the class with no corruption charges raised against him.

He was one of the 32 people who formed the CPM by leaving the National Council of the undivided Communist Party in 1964. It is unusual for the communist party to retract from a decision made. However, in Achuthanandan’s case, Part had to succumb to pressure, considering the immense popularity the leader commanded among the masses.

In 2006, the party expected minor protests when they decided not to contest VS Achuthanandan in the elections. However, the protests were massive, and the party leadership was left flummoxed. Protesters even reached the AKG Centre shouting slogans. Along with this, protests flared up in many parts of Kerala. It was after the Politburo’s intervention that VS was asked to contest again, which alleviated the tensions. Under his leadership, the Left Front won the state with a huge majority, and the LDF returned to power. However, a logjam continued after the leadership preferred Paloli Mohammed Kutty as Chief Minister rather than VS. At that time, the politburo intervened again, and thus Achuthanandan ended up with the Chief Minister post.

Despite the big move, the damage was done as the Chief Minister had little control over the affairs, and the final say rested with the party leadership. At one point, even the ministers in the cabinet acted on their whims without consulting the Chief Minister. The discord soon became public. Although VS gained popularity on controversial issues like Munnar and the lottery mafia, he was unable to make any leap in terms of development.

History repeated itself in the 2011 elections. The CPM state secretariat decided that VS should not contest. Protests erupted again. Even detractors informed PB of the battering the party would receive if VS were not to contest in elections. The Politburo comprehensively studied the politics and made VS contest the elections. Nothing surprising happened as VS ended up winning the polls with a massive majority, while UDF returned to power with 72 seats. LDF was a close second with 68 seats. Despite facing massive anti-incumbency, Achuthanandan led the party to a close second spot with 68 seats, not a menial feat.

Subsequently, VS distanced himself from the party. The main reason was the gruesome murder of TP Chandrasekharan. Following the murder, VS took an uncompromising stance against the party. On the day of the Neyyattinkara by-election, his visit to TP's widow, Rema, was much discussed and controversial both within and outside the party. This was reflected in the Neyyattinkara by-election results as the LDF floundered in their bastion.

Another much-discussed incident was VS's boycott of the party's state conference held in Alappuzha. He was prosecuted at the conference. Many VS supporters were also removed from the state committee.

In his sunset years in politics, VS patched up differences and returned to the party fold and even last contested in the 2016 elections. He won that too with a comfortable majority. Many expected VS to be the chief minister for one final time, but he gave way to a more formidable and party strongman, Pinarayi Vijayan. The party installed VS in the position of Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Committee. Many felt the position was a humiliation for a mighty leader like VS, but the leader was less perturbed over the developments. He submitted many reports to the government, but the government took no notice of them and wilfully ignored all. VS was not perturbed nor angry; he continued with his work until age-related ailments and languor took the better of him.