VS is symbol of struggle, says Pinarayi; tributes pour in for veteran CPM leader

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday described VS Achuthanandan as a symbol of a glorious legacy of struggles and added that his life is a significant chapter in the history of Kerala.  

He also hailed the former Kerala CM as a symbol of extraordinary determination and uncompromising commitment to his political standpoints. "His century-long life, during which he stood firmly with the people and took up their issues, is inseparably woven into the modern history of Kerala," Pinarayi Vijayan said in his condolence message. 

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan has remembered VS as a leader who changed the nature of opposition political activism. Satheesan said that VS stood as the opposition both when he was the opposition leader and the chief minister. It seems he enjoyed it, the Congress leader said in his condolence message.

"The leader who gave a different face to opposition political activism. He led from the front and supported agitations against environmental exploitation. Both inside and outside the state assembly, VS was sharp-tongued. Apart from his political rivals, leaders of his own party also had to face the heat of his words. he became chief minister after getting massive support from the public. He had limitations as the CM, but he was least bothered," Satheesan said.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph described VS as an able administrator and a public servant. "His services as the chief minister and the opposition leader were valuable," Sunny said.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that it was VS's courage to voice his stances that made him more appealing among communist leaders. 

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala paid homage to VS by calling him the last of the idealists in communist politics. "In VS' death, the Left movements of Kerala have lost their last correction force," he said.

RMP leader KK Rema, in an emotional social media post, said that VS was her only beacon of hope during the darkest phase of her life. "In the darkness that spread over life, when I stood helpless, you were the comforting touch of hope, dear comrade... final salutations," she wrote in a Facebook post.

Muslim League leader P K Kunhalikutty said even while uncompromising in his fight, VS had shared a warm friendship with political opponents.