VS Achuthanandan’s Mortal Remains Taken to Durbar Hall

Thiruvananthapuram: The mortal remains of V S Achuthanandan were brought to the Durbar Hall, where thousands gathered to pay their last respects to one of Kerala’s most beloved leader.

The funeral procession began from the residence of his son, Arun. Despite heavy rain, a sea of people assembled near the house, undeterred by the weather, to bid farewell to the legendary Communist stalwart. As the body was placed in the ambulance, slogans echoed: Dheera Sakhave, VS e, Aaru paranju marichennu, Illa Illa Marikkunnilla (Our courageous leader VS, who says you died? You live through us.)

All along the mourning journey, workers from every walk of life lined the route to offer their homage. Many followed the ambulance on foot, chanting slogans until it reached the Durbar Hall.

CPI M General Secretary M A Baby, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Polit Bureau members Ashok Dhawale and Vijoo Krishnan, senior leaders Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat, and State Secretary M V Govindan were among those who paid their respects.

By Tuesday afternoon, the body of V S Achuthanandan will be taken in a funeral procession to Alappuzha, his hometown.His cremation is scheduled for Wednesday noon at the public crematorium in Valiya Chudukadu, Alappuzha, party sources confirmed.

The Kerala government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday and announced a three-day mourning period as a mark of respect for the former Chief Minister.

Achuthanandan passed away at 3:20 p.m. on Monday while undergoing treatment in the critical care unit of SUT Hospital, Pattom. He had been under treatment since June 23, following a cardiac arrest.

A founding member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Achuthanandan was a lifelong crusader for workers’ rights, land reforms, and social justice. He served as Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011, was elected to the state assembly seven times, and held the position of Leader of the Opposition for three terms.