VS Achuthanandan turns 99, a birthday without celebrations; Chief Minister extends greetings to dear comrade

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Veteran communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan turned 99 today. Many people including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have extended birthday greetings to Achuthanandan.

“Birthday greetings to dear comrade VS who turns 99 today”, wrote CM Pinarayi Vijayan on his Facebook post sharing Achuthanandan’s picture. Below the post, many people have extended their wishes to the comrade.

Born on October 20, 1923 in a working-class family in Alappuzha, Velikkakath Sankaran Achuthanandan became part of the trade union after ending his formal education at the primary level.

Joining the Communist movement, his life is linked with its history in the state including the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, underground activities of the party after it was banned in 1949 following Calcutta thesis and formation of CPI(M) following the split in CPI in 1964.

Achuthanandan, who became a CPI(M) politburo member in 1996, headed the CPI(M)-led LDF government in 2006-11, defeating the efforts by his rivals in the party to deny him a chance. He also served as the Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission from 2016 to 2021.

VS has been on rest at his son VA Arun Kumar’s house in Barto Hill since the beginning of the pandemic. No birthday celebrations this year also as the doctors have strictly restricted visitors. He celebrates his birthday along with his family members as usual. Wife Vasumathi, son VA Arun Kumar, daughter-in-law Rajni, daughter Dr Asha, son-in-law Dr. Thangaraj and grandsons will be with him to celebrate his birthday.