Thiruvananthapuram : CPI(M) veteran and former CPI(M) Stat Secretariat member Anathalavattom Anandan passed away this evening at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. He was 86. The Party senior has been under medical treatment for age-related ailments for a while now. He is State President of CITU.
Thrice elected as MLA from Attingal, Anathalavattom Anandan became member of the CPI(M) State Committee in 1985 and rose to become the member of State Secretariat in 2008. Anathalavattom Anandan is the National Vice President of CITU and Vice Chairman for the apex body for Coir.
Anathalavattom Anandan was born in Varkala’s Chilakur in Thiruvananthapuram on 22 April, 1937 to V Krishnan and Naniamma of Keduvilakath Valail. He entered politics in 1954 following the coir workers’ strike demanding more wage.
At one point, Anandan gained job as Ticket Checker in the Railways but gave it work for Party activities. He joined the Communist Party in 1956. Anandan has led several labour movements and undergone imprisonment several times. During Emergency, Anandan went into hiding but was caught up with later and put into prison.
Anathalavattom Anandan served as General Secretary to Travancore Labour Union and to Coir Workers Centre since 1972. He was president of Coirfed for 12 years and also served as its Vice Chairman.
Anandan was elected to Legislative Assembly the first time in 1987 representing Attingal constituency. The second victory came in 1996 when he defeated Vakkam Purushotaman in Attingal. He won in 2006 in a 11,208 lead defeating Mohanachandran and served as Chief Whip from 2006 to 2011.
Anathalavattom Anandan conferred with several recognitions including the Central Government’s Coir Mitra Award, Coir Millennium Award, the State government’s Coir Award, C KEeshaban Memorial Award, N Srikantan Award and so forth.
Wufe :Laila ; Children : Jeeva Anandan, Mahesh Anandan
