V. S. Achuthanandan Explained

V. S. Achuthanandan
Birth Name:Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan
Birth Date:20 October 1923
Birth Place:Alleppey, Kingdom of Travancore, British India
(present day Alappuzha, Kerala, India)
Order:11th
Office:Chief Minister of Kerala
Predecessor:Oommen Chandy
Successor:Oommen Chandy
Office1:4th Chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission
Predecessor1:E. K. Nayanar[1]
Office4:Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Niyamasabha
Predecessor4:Oommen Chandy
Successor4:Ramesh Chennithala
Constituency4:Malampuzha
Predecessor5:A. K. Antony
Successor5:Oommen Chandy
Constituency5:Malampuzha
Predecessor6:E. K. Nayanar
Successor6:A. K. Antony
Constituency6:Mararikulam
Office7:Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Kerala State Committee
Predecessor7:E. K. Nayanar
Successor7:E. K. Nayanar
Office3:Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Party:Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Office8:Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly
Constituency8:Malampuzha
Constituency9:Mararikulam
Constituency10:Ambalappuzha
Residence:Punnapra North, Kerala Thiruvananthapuram

Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan (born 20 October 1923), popularly known by his initials V. S., is an Indian politician who was the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. At 82, he was the oldest person to have assumed the office. He is affiliated to the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He served as the chairman of Administrative reforms in Kerala with state cabinet rank from 2016 to 2021. He has served as Leader of the Opposition for 15 years which makes him the longest serving Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Achuthanandan was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from 1985 until July 2009, when he was reverted to the Central Committee of the party owing to his ideological dispositions.[2]

Achuthanandan initiated various actions as the Chief Minister, including the demolition drive in Munnar which claimed back acres of illegally occupied land,[3] the demolition drive in Kochi M. G. Road which claimed back the long lost shoulder of the road, anti-piracy drive against film-piracy, his struggle against the Lottery mafia in the state. He was instrumental in convicting former minister R. Balakrishna Pillai on charges of corruption.[4] [5] Achuthanandan also took the lead in promoting free software in the state, and especially in adopting free software in the public education system of the state.[6]

Early life

Born on 20 October 1923 to Sankaran and Accamma in Punnapra, Alappuzha, Travancore (part of present-day Kerala state, India), he lost his mother when he was four years old and subsequently lost his father at the age of 11. This forced him to quit his studies after finishing 7th standard in school.[7] He started working by helping his elder brother in a village tailoring shop. Later he took up the job of meshing coir to make ropes at a coir factory.[8] [9]

Achuthanandan was in the forefront of the land struggles in Kerala starting with the Alappuzha declaration in 1970 demanding implementation of the Land Reforms Act passed by the EMS Government in 1967. Later his activities as the leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly had evoked good public response.[10] [11]

Political life

He entered politics through trade union activities and joined State Congress in 1938. In 1940, he became a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI). During his 40 years as a politician he was imprisoned for five years and six months and was in hiding for four and half years. He was a state secretariat member of the CPI in 1957.[12] He is the only living among the 32 members who left the CPI National Council in 1964 to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist).[13] He was the Secretary of the Kerala State Committee between 1980 and 1992. He was a member of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau since 1985 until he was removed as a party disciplinary action. He is the senior most leader of CPI(M) in India.[14]

ElectionConstituencyResultMargin
1965Ambalappuzha2327
1967Ambalappuzha9515
1970Ambalappuzha2768
1977Ambalappuzha5585
1991Mararikulam9980
1996Mararikulam1965
2001Malampuzha4703
2006Malampuzha20017
2011Malampuzha23340
2016Malampuzha27142

Chief Minister of Kerala (2006-2011)

See also: Achuthanandan ministry. During the assembly elections held in Kerala in April–May 2006, VS Achuthanandan defeated Satheesan Pacheeni of the United Democratic Front by a margin of 20,017 votes in Malampuzha constituency in Palakkad district. He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Kerala on 18 May 2006, with his 21-member cabinet. Aged 82 years and 7 months at time, he was the oldest Chief Minister of Kerala, and one of the oldest in the whole of India. It is noticeable that he had been denied a party ticket to contest elections just two months before he was sworn in. He became the 11th Chief Minister of Kerala. On 12 July 2009, the CPI(M) Polit bureau and Central Committee removed him from the PB for his stands taken in relation to the accusation and legal procedures against Pinarayi Vijayan in his reported involvement in the Lavlin bribery.[15]

2011 Assembly election

The 2011 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, proved to be one of the closest in Kerala's history, with the UDF beating the LDF by a margin of 4 seats. After this election, Achuthanandan was considered the man behind the Uprising of LDF after the 2009 Parliament and 2010 Municipal election losses.[16] The CPI(M) denied a seat to Achuthanandan for the 2011 assembly election. Protests took place across the state and even on social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and via SMS.[17] [18] In what can be considered as a near repeat of the 2006 pre-election build-up, the Politbureau of CPI-M impressed upon the state leadership to permit VS Achuthanandan to contest elections for the April 2011 Assembly election in Kerala.[19] VS Achuthanandan contested from the Malampuzha Constituency and won with a margin of around 25,000 votes.

Removal of personal staff

On 12 May 2013, three of his personal staff V.K. Sasidharan (additional private secretary), A. Suresh (personal assistant) and K. Balakrishnan (press secretary) were ousted by the Politburo, which was entrusted by the CPI(M) central committee to decide on the action to be taken against them. They were expelled on charges of leaking information to media, according to CPI(M).[20] With the decision, Achuthanandan's arch-rival and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI(M)) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan appears to have won. The state committee of the party where Vijayan has a huge majority also wanted Achuthanandan to be removed from the post of leader of opposition but this was not done. "This is a clipping of the wings of Achuthanandan", said K.M. Shahjahan.[21]

2016 Assembly elections

Achuthanandan was appointed Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission on 3 August 2016.[22]

Statement on Islamization of Kerala

In 2010, The 86-year-old CPI (M) veteran, while talking to reporters in New Delhi on Saturday, said the Popular Front, under scanner for chopping off the hand of a college lecturer, was indulging in communal and divisive activities with the aim of turning Kerala into a Muslim majority state.[23] [24] [25]

Major achievements

In 2006, under the leadership of Achuthanandan government decided to develop and operate an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), Vallarpadam. Though it is a central government project, Achuthanandan government has taken strong steps to take over land required for road and rail lines for the project. The International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi was inaugurated on 11 February 2011, it is the first transshipment terminal in India and the first container terminal to operate in a SEZ.[26] [27]

The Technopark in Kollam was initiated, planned and constructed during Achuthanandan government. The plan for setting up the first district IT park in Kerala at Kollam was announced in January 2009.[28] The Foundation stone was laid by Achuthanandan in February 2009.[29] The park was set up expecting employment to the tune of 20,000 and investments of 800 crores. The first phase of park was inaugurated by Achuthanandan on 15 February 2011.[30]

In 2009, Achuthanandan ministry started the work of Infopark Cherthala in Alappuzha. The project was inaugurated by Achuthanandan on 10 January 2011.[31] [32] With the state's IT sector witnessing a phenomenal growth, it has become necessary to expand Infopark, Kochi, to the satellite towns of the city. Infrastructure development at the IT parks at Infopark Cherthala, Infopark Ambalappuzha and InfoPark Thrissur, which are the satellite units of Infopark, Kochi, were progressing fast. Achuthanandan laid the foundation stone of the second phase of Infopark at Kakkanad. The project is developed on 160 acres.

In 2008, Achuthanandan government proposed an International airport in Mattannur, Kannur. Two years later, Achuthanandan laid the foundation stone for the Kannur International Airport at the project site marking the formal commencement of construction activities on 17 December 2010 at a function attended by the then Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.[33]

In 2008, Achuthanandan government approved the Kochi Metro rail project in a cabinet meeting held on 2 January 2008 and sent to Central Government for ratification.[34]

The drive to reclaim paddy land

The anti-reclamation stir launched by the Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU) at Mankompu in 1996–97, under the leadership of Achuthanandan created much controversy. This stir was claimed to be highlighting the serious problem of the massive conversion of paddy fields into another type of land, affecting the food security of Kerala. But this soon developed into a crop destruction drive. The protest got the sobriquet following the violent methods and crop destruction resorted to by the KSKTU cadre. The stir attracted lot of public attention and Achuthanandan was forced to express his disapproval of any destruction of crops. 15 years later, in November 2011, a UDF Minister, who is politically opposed to Achuthanandan, justified this struggle.[40] Janata Dal Socialist leader and minister for Agriculture, K.P. Mohananan said such a struggle was necessary as conversion of paddy fields to another type of crops is a serious concern.

Personal life

On 20 October 2023, Achuthanandan turned 100.[41]

In popular culture

Awards

Books

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 3rd Kerala ARC.
  2. Web site: CPM drops VS from Politburo. The Indian Express. 12 July 2009 . 29 October 2011.
  3. Web site: Kerala govt cleans up Munnar for tourists. 10 May 2007. . 29 October 2011.
  4. News: Jail for one corrupt politician. The Hindu. 19 February 2011. 29 October 2011. Iyer. V. R. Krishna.
  5. Web site: V.S. Achuthanandan vs R. Balakrishna Pillai on 13 May 1994. 29 October 2011.
  6. News: Government will popularise free software, says Achuthanandan. https://web.archive.org/web/20071012174326/http://hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082210770400.htm. dead. 12 October 2007. . 22 August 2006. 29 October 2011.
  7. Web site: Shri V. S. Achuthanandan, heavily Criticized by his own party for donating blood to indian soldiers during indo china war Profile. 19 October 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130403095746/http://www.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=3049. 3 April 2013.
  8. Web site: V S Achuthanandan: No movies for 30 years, no school beyond Class 7, his first job was weaving coir mat . The Indian Express . 14 May 2006 . India.
  9. Web site: Profile of Achuthanandan. Niyamasabha.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20100927065701/http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/chiefm.htm . 2010-09-27 . 2011-11-03.
  10. Web site: V.S Achuthanandan . 22 May 2013 . 14 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140514112454/http://www.cpimkerala.org/eng/vsachuthanandan-43.php . dead .
  11. Web site: Untitled Document . 22 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140514183338/http://www.samyukta.info/archives/vol_1_1/article/sasidharan/the%20punnapra-vayalar%20revolt%20and%20freedom%20movement.htm . 14 May 2014 . dead.
  12. Web site: During China war, comrades cracked down on VS for saying let's give blood to jawans. The Indian Express. 14 July 2009 .
  13. News: The man of the masses. Nair. C. Gouridasan. 2016-03-21. The Hindu. 2019-04-05. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  14. Web site: 2020-10-20. As VS Achuthanandan Turns 97, Communist Colossus from Kerala Remains The Quintessential Survivor. 2021-08-12. News18. en.
  15. News: Kerala CM Achuthanandan removed from CPM politburo. 2009-07-12. The Economic Times. 2019-04-05.
  16. News: UDF wins Kerala, but loses to Achuthanandan. ZEE News. 13 May 2011 .
  17. News: Achuthanandan not contesting in the election . https://web.archive.org/web/20110321180520/http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/17/stories/2011031767500600.htm . dead . 21 March 2011 . India . . 27 March 2011.
  18. https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-want-VSAchuthanandan-back/152117231515414
  19. News: CPM drops, takes back warhorse Achuthanandan . The Indian Express . India . 18 March 2011.
  20. http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMONLine.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=14046216&tabId=1&programId=11565535 Manorama Online | English News | Kerala
  21. http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/three-close-aides-of-achuthanandan-thrown-out-of-cpi-m-113051200562_1.html Three close aides of Achuthanandan thrown out of CPI-M | Business Standard
  22. C. Gouridasan Nair, "V.S. Achuthanandan to head Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission", The Hindu, 3 August 2016.
  23. Web site: PFI wants Kerala to be Muslim-majority state: VS . 2023-11-09 . The New Indian Express.
  24. Imagined Kerala . 25741993 . Menon . Nandagopal R. . Economic and Political Weekly . 27 September 2023 . 45 . 34 . 22–25 .
  25. Web site: 2010-07-27 . Achuthanandan stands by ‘Islamisation’ comment, Vijayan supports . 2023-11-09 . Zee News . en.
  26. Web site: DP World Kochi poised to grow its capacity . . 2016-02-08 . 2017-10-16.
  27. Web site: Tenders for consultants for Colachel port by March . India Today. 2016-02-17 . 2017-10-16.
  28. Web site: 2009-02-27. Kerala's first district IT park to come up at Kollam. 2021-02-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20090227134651/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sci-tech/keralas-first-district-it-park-to-come-up-at-kollam_100138066.html. 2009-02-27.
  29. News: Reporter. B. S.. 2009-01-07. Government allots land for Kollam Technopark. Business Standard India. 2021-02-05.
  30. Web site: Kollam Technopark inauguration on February 15. 2020-04-15. The New Indian Express.
  31. News: Alappuzha gets on the IT bandwagon. Staff reporter. 10 January 2011. The Hindu. 26 August 2017.
  32. Web site: Infopark Cherthala may be Ready by January - TechnoparkToday.com - Techies News, Jobs, Events & Lifestyle! . TechnoparkToday.com - Techies News, Jobs, Events & Lifestyle! . 29 November 2010 . 24 August 2020.
  33. News: VS lays foundation stone for Kannur international airport. The Hindu . 17 December 2010. www.thehindu.com.
  34. Web site: Rs 3000 crore Kochi Metro rail project approved. 2 January 2008.
  35. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article93758.ece govt. to deal sternly with Munnar encroachers
  36. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/munnars-illegal-constructions-to-be-demolished_100312165.html Munnar’s illegal constructions to be demolished
  37. Web site: Yahoo Search - Web Search. in.news.yahoo.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20080105181426/http://in.news.yahoo.com/071231/48/6p2a2.html . 5 January 2008.
  38. Web site: 26 Feb 2013 . Kerala logs on to free software . 8 June 2023 . Business Standard.
  39. Web site: അനധികൃത ഭൂമി; മനോരമയ്ക്ക് കനത്ത തിരിച്ചടി .
  40. http://www.doolnews.com/kp-mohanan-sopports-vs-strike-malayalam-news-473.html malayalam news-kp mohanan sopports vs strike
  41. Web site: 100 not out: Comrade V S Achuthanandan’s long march. Shaju. Philip. Indian Express. 2023-10-20. 2022-10-21.