V S Achuthanandan of Kerala Turns 90

21 October 2013
Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala’s iconic Marxist and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan turned 90 today. A leader whose life has been a relentless struggle not only against injustices and indignities of a class and caste riven society, but also “revisionist” trends in his own movement, his 90th birthday was devoid of any colourful celebrations.

But this time round, under gentle persuasion from and close aides and well wishers, the CPI(M) stalwart agreed to cut a birthday cake before joining lunch with his wife Vasumathi and other family members at his official residence Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram.

“As in the past, I will continue my struggle against corruption and anti-people policies…”, Mr Achuthanandan said in a brief birthday message and went on to blast the UDF Government headed by Ommen Chandy over the solar scam.

A founder leader of CPI(M) after the split in undivided CPI(M) in 1964, he is no stranger to controversies. He was in the news even on the eve of his 90th birthday for critical comments against the party’s state leadership controlled by his bete noire Pinarayi Vijayan. The central party has openly voiced its displeasure at the damning comments he made against the state leadership.

He became a CPI(M) politbureau member in 1996 but was dropped from the top organisational body a few years back for speaking against the party’s official line on a corruption case involving Pinarayi Vijayan. Though he has lost much of his hold in the organisation, he continues to be the most popular Left leader in the state, acceptable to even large sections who are not directly part of the CPI(M).

Source – http://www.ndtv.com

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