VS Achuthanandan turns 100: Celebrating a century of resilience and ideals

When this writer last met VS Achuthanandan, in 2017, the nonagenarian leader was not fully fit for a fruitful or engaging conversation. Our team of reporters included colleagues from the US and New Delhi, all eager to engage with the oldest and tallest communist figure available in India. Nevertheless, he made an attempt to recall memories from his past, though at times, his memory seemed to falter intermittently despite having the assistance of his then secretary, KV Sudhakaran, a seasoned journalist.

He initiated the conversation by recounting his early political engagement as a worker at the Aspinwall company, in the late 1930’s, then inadvertently transitioning to his then role as the chair of the administrative reforms committee.

“The advancement of free software is crucial, representing a struggle against the monopolization of knowledge. You should contact our ‘chubby guy with beard‘,” VS said. He was referring to Richard M Stallman or RMS, the American free software movement activist and programmer but struggled to recollect his name.

“There you are – Stallman Richard, he is a brilliant guy,” remarked VS, when his secretary pointed out Stallman’s name.

Then he went on to discuss the recommendations they were formulating at that time for the e-governance initiative. Despite not having complete control over his train of thoughts, the breadth of topics he touched upon, from labour issues to the governance of a state highlighted the essence of VS, the quintessential Comrade of Kerala.

Humble beginnings

In the annals of Indian politics, Velikkakath Sankaran Achuthanandan is an unwavering and indomitable figure. Born on October 20, 1923, in the small village of Punnappra in Kerala, he emerged as a towering political icon, a symbol of commitment to communist ideology, and a tireless advocate for the marginalized and oppressed. With a political career spanning over eight decades, Achuthanandan’s journey from a humble beginning to becoming the chief minister of Kerala and the stalwart communist leader in India is a testament to his resilience, dedication and the enduring relevance of communist principles in Indian politics.

In the historic year of 1940, he embraced the communist cause, immersing himself in the struggle against colonial oppression. The fervour culminated in 1946 with the relentless Left agitation, igniting the flames of the Punnapra-Vayalar rebellion. Tragically, this uprising witnessed the sacrifice of around 470 valiant communist revolutionaries, primarily humble farm labourers armed with wooden spears.

Achuthanandan faced the wrath of the colonial masters after the agrarian uprising, enduring imprisonment and torment as a testament to his unwavering dedication to the cause. For five years and six months, he bore the chains of imprisonment. Emerging from those dark confines, he embraced the shadows of the clandestine realm for four-and-a-half years, a defiant gesture in the face of adversity.

Achuthanandan, a stalwart within the ranks of the Indian communist party and later a member of the party state secretariat from 1957, valiantly faced disciplinary repercussions throughout his political journey. In the 1960s, he faced demotion in the party, a punishment inflicted for organizing a blood-donation campaign, for the Indian soldiers combating the imperialist aggression, defying the prescribed party line. Yet, defying these diktats, he ascended the echelons of the party hierarchy, especially following the inception of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1964.

Party ladder

Branded an ‘old school Marxist’ by those standing outside the CPI(M), his internal detractors often accused him of fueling enduring factional divides within the state unit. Between 1980 and 1992, he held the position of Secretary for the Kerala State Committee. From 1985, he served as a member of the CPI(M) politburo until he faced expulsion due to disciplinary measures imposed by the party.

Elections witnessed his indomitable spirit as he stood for the people, securing seats in the assembly from Ambalappuza (1967, 1970), Maraikkulam (1991), and later from Malampuzha (2001, 2006, 2016). In the face of adversity, encompassing obstacles and defeats, such as the electoral setback in Mararikkulam in 1996, he demonstrated unwavering resilience and determination. He stood at the brink of assuming the role of chief minister at that very moment, had the outcome been in his favour. However, it was EK Nayanar who ultimately ascended to the position of chief minister, despite not contesting the elections.

Achuthanandan, who previously served as the CPI(M) State secretary, wasn’t always a staunch advocate of party discipline.

His name was consistently associated with internal factionalism within the party. He fearlessly contended within the party for what he believed was right, regardless of who stood in opposition. He opposed the position taken by the legendary leader KR Gouriamma, then clashed with the CITU faction within the party, and ultimately became a vocal critic of his long-standing adversary and current chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan. In 2007, despite holding the position of chief minister of Kerala, the party leadership had no choice but to expel him from the politburo.

Steely fighter

However, as the leader of the Opposition and eventually the chief minister in 2006, he transformed from an organization builder to a mass leader, leaving an indelible mark on the ideological landscape. Silencing his critics with fervour, he spearheaded impassioned campaigns against social injustices and ecological degradation, rallying the support of diverse groups committed to the cause. Even after becoming chief minister, he remained unwavering, passionately championing causes and confronting corrupt forces that threatened the very fabric of society.

He significantly broadened his appeal, reaching well beyond the confines of the party, by vigorously advocating for causes that had been overlooked or approached differently by the party. These causes included the campaign against the Coca-Cola company’s water exploitation in Plachimada, unwaveringly pursuing justice for victims of high-profile sexual harassment cases, fighting against land encroachments in Munnar, addressing the environmental consequences of various projects, and, most notably, building strong connections with civil society organizations across the country. Ultimately, he showed solidarity with KK Rema, the wife of TP Chandrasekharan, a former CPI(M) leader who was tragically assassinated by certain CPI(M) members after he left the party citing ideological differences -- a murder that continues to be attributed to the party.

According to his passionate adherents, his defiance of party directives exemplified his unyielding determination, cementing his image as a principled communist, resolute in his ideological convictions. Nevertheless, in the eyes of his critics, he consistently deviated from the collective principles of the party and displayed a readiness to discard comrades when it advanced his personal agenda.

In the eyes of many, Achuthanandan embodies the essence of a steadfast communist, unwavering in the face of neoliberal realities. Critics may accuse him of straying from the shifting tides of neoliberalism, but his unwavering dedication remains a beacon of inspiration for revolutionaries steadfast in their pursuit of a just and equal society.

Achuthanandan’s legacy continues to shape the political discourse in Kerala, with his uncompromising stance on issues of social justice and his dedication to the welfare of the masses remain a source of inspiration for younger generations of communist leaders inside and outside his party. His life serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who believe in the power of activism and the enduring relevance working class ideology in the quest for a better world.