Alappuzha, Kerala, July 23 (ANI): The mortal remains of veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan were brought to his hometown of Alappuzha on Wednesday for the public to pay their last respects.
Achuthanandan passed away on Monday at the age of 101. He had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on the veteran leader’s demise, saying Achuthanandan devoted several years of his life to the state’s development.
“Saddened by the passing of former Kerala CM Shri VS Achuthanandan Ji. He devoted many years of his life to public service and Kerala’s progress. I recall our interactions when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this sad hour,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
The Kerala government has declared a three-day mourning period beginning July 22 as a mark of respect.
Achuthanandan served as Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011 and was the longest-serving opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly, holding the position for 15 years.
A founding member of the CPI(M), he served as Secretary of the party’s Kerala State Committee from 1980 to 1992. He also served as LDF convener between 1996 and 2000, and as Leader of the Opposition during three separate terms: 1992 to 1996, 2001 to 2006, and 2011 to 2016. (ANI)
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