VS Achuthanandan, former Kerala CM, veteran communist leader, passes away at 101
Thiruvananthapuram: V.S. Achuthanandan, one of India's most respected communist leaders and a towering presence in Kerala politics for over eight decades, passed away on Monday at the age of 101. He had been bedridden in recent years due to prolonged illness.
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, popularly known as VS, served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011 and remained a central figure in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] for decades. His tenure as Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly spanned 15 years, the longest in the state's history.
Achuthanandan began his political journey in 1939 through the State Congress and trade union activism. He officially joined the Communist Party in 1940 and was instrumental in mobilising coir workers, toddy tappers, and agricultural labourers. His efforts led to the founding of the Travancore Karshaka Thozhilali Union, which later evolved into the Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU).
A Politburo member from 1985 to 2009, he was later moved to the party's Central Committee. VS played a vital role in several landmark struggles, including the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946, a defining moment in Kerala’s pre-independence labour movement. His life was marked by immense personal sacrifice: he spent over five years in prison and remained underground for nearly four and a half years during periods of intense political repression.
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
