'101 years of struggle for justice': Left parties pay rich tributes to communist icon Achuthanandan

CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya also paid tributes to the former Kerala chief minister

Left leaders paid rich tributes to former Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan on Monday, with CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby saying the veteran leader's demise marks the "end of an era".

Achuthanandan died on Monday at the age of 101.

In a post on X, Baby said Achuthanandan's life was a saga of struggle for justice and equality.

"Comrade V S Achuthanandan's passing marks the end of an era," Baby said.

He pointed out that the former Kerala chief minister was born into poverty and orphaned at 11.

"He had to quit school. Working at a coir factory, he was initiated into the trade union movement and joined the Communist Party at a young age," Baby said.

"Synonymous with the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, he was brutally tortured by the police. He was the last surviving member of the 32 who walked out of CPI National Council in 1964 and founded the CPI(M). His 101 years were a saga of struggle for justice and equality," the CPI(M) general secretary added.

Paying homage to the veteran leader, CPI general secretary D Raja said Achuthanandan's "principled life, simplicity, and dedication to the people will remain an inspiration to the coming generations".

"Comrade Achuthanandan's political journey, spanning more than eight decades, stands as a testament to unwavering commitment to the ideals of socialism, secularism, and people's rights," Raja said.

He said Achuthanandan was widely respected across party lines and by the people of Kerala.

"The CPI extends its deep condolences to his family, friends, admirers and to the CPI(M)," he added.

CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya also paid tributes to the former Kerala chief minister.

"Just got the news of the passing of Comrade V S Achuthanandan, former P B member of CPI(M) and CM of Kerala, and one of the tallest leaders of the communist movement. Our deepest respect to the legendary leader and condolences to his family and comrades," Bhattacharya said in a post on X.

The CPI(M), in a statement, called Achuthanandan an outstanding leader and a veteran of the country's Communist movement.

"The Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) dips its red banner in salute to V S Achuthanandan. It conveys its heartfelt condolences to his wife, son and daughter," the statement said.

Achuthanandan, one of India's most-respected Left leaders and a key figure in Kerala's political history, died in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram while undergoing treatment following a cardiac arrest.