Veteran Marxist Leader, Former Kerala CM V.S. Achuthanandan Passes Away at 101

Rapid Summary

• V.S. Achuthanandan’s passing: Former Kerala chief Minister and veteran communist leader V.S. Achuthanandan passed away on July 21, 2025, at SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 101.
• Political tenure: He served as Kerala’s Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and was a prominent figure in the State’s communist movement for decades.
• Health issues: Admitted to the hospital on June 23 following a heart attack and age-related ailments; he had withdrawn from public life after suffering a minor stroke in 2019.
• Personal life: Since his health decline, he lived with assisted care at his son V. Arun Kumar’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram.

Photo Credit: 1200/1%20%20-%20after%20confirmation.jpg”>Image of V.S. Achuthanandan

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The passing of V.S. Achuthanandan marks the end of an era for Kerala’s political landscape and India’s broader communist movement. Renowned for his steadfast commitment to leftist ideologies, he shaped critical policies while helming both government roles and activism-driven politics during turbulent times for socialism globally.

His death is highly likely to evoke reflection on Kerala’s unique political character influenced heavily by Marxist principles over decades-a rarity amidst evolving national narratives favoring other ideologies. It also underscores how leaders like Mr.Achuthanandan bridged independence era freedom struggles with modern governance challenges.

For India, his legacy situates itself within debates around ideological pragmatism versus unwavering orthodoxy-a conversation pivotal for future generations navigating diverse political dilemmas across States like Kerala.

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