VS Achuthanandan's death: Kerala declares public holiday tomorrow, educational institutions to remain closed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three days of mourning will be observed in the state as a mark of respect for the senior communist leader and former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, who passed away on Monday. A holiday was declared in the state on Tuesday. VS breathed his last at 3:20 pm today at SUT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. He was 101.

All state government offices, educational institutions, and colleges will remain closed on Tuesday.

It was CPM State Secretary MV Govindan who first announced the death of the veteran leader.

“An all-time great of the CPM party and the leader who paved the way for the party to gain acceptance all across Kerala and even in India. CPM pays tribute to the party heavyweight Comrade VS Achuthanandan. Party flags will be lowered and mourning will be observed,” said MV Govindan.

The decision was made to take VS's body to the AKG Research Centre first. The public will be allowed to have a last glimpse of the leader and pay their respects on Monday evening. Tomorrow morning, the body will be kept at Durbar Hall in Thiruvananthapuram for the public to pay homage. Later, the body will be taken to VS Achuthanandan’s hometown in Alappuzha and then to the party district committee office the next morning.

The funeral will be held at the Valiya Chudukadu in Alappuzha on Wednesday.