The 23rd Party Congress of CPI-M in Kannur will be the first National Communist cadres gathering without two founding leaders. Of the 32 pioneers- walkout of CPI National Council (1964) in protest against deviation- V S Achuthanandan and N Sankaraiah are alive. These legends have a political life spanning more than eight decades. As founder leaders of CPI-M, they are the oldest living Communists in the county. Both will not attend the 23rd Party Congress due to the ailments related to old age. They are closely watching the proceedings of the conference. V S and Sankaraiah were present at the 22nd Congress held at Hyderabad; and specially honoured.
98 years old V S is resting at his Velikkakathu home in Thiruvananthapuram. He could not attend the Ernakulam state conference also; but was elected as the special invitee to the State Committee. Sankaraiaha who was state secretary of Tamil Nadu for a long time is above 100 years old is resting at Chennai home. He was also unable to attend the Madurai State Conference; but greeted via online. That inspirational speech was shown on a big screen on stage. He watched the live broadcast of the inaugural conference at home on his mobile.
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan was born 20 October 1923 in a poor family. His mother died when he was four and lost father at the age of 11. Achuthanandan prayed to God a lot to save his bedridden father. But succumbed to death. That incident make him an atheist. Utter poverty of the family forced Achuthanandan to quit school after 7th. He began working in brother's small tailor shop. Later took a job in the Aspinwall factory.
V S started political life by organising agricultural workers; and was one of the pioneering organiser of coir workers. Even though VS lacked formal education, noted for his deep reading and understanding of the world. He was initiated into Communist Movement by P Krishna Pillai who is "comrade of the comrades'. First he came to Kuttanad with the five rupee note put by Krishna Pillai in his pocket. No one was ready to go along with him for political works. Farmers cursed him and said that he is creating troubles between them and landlords.
V S was in the forefront of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising against C P Ramaswamy Iyer, Divan of Travancore who tried to establish an American model government. He was arrested on 28 October 1946 and taken to Poonjar police station. beaten up severely in the lock-up. Policemen damaged his legs with bayonet. V S spent five and half years in jails and four years underground.He was in the forefront of the land struggles in Kerala starting with the Alappuzha declaration in 1970 demanding implementation of the Reforms Act by EMS Government in 1967. Later his activities as leader of Opposition in the Assembly evoked good public response.
V S served many positions in his long political career. Was CPI-M State Secretary between 1980 and 1992 and became a member of the Politburo in 1985. He has also been active in parliamentary politics; elected to Assembly seven times. Served Leader of Opposition three times. Chief Minister from 2006-11. Served as the chairman of Administrative reforms in Kerala 2016 to 21. He was the editor of Deshabhimani daily and Chintha Weekly.
During the countrywide ban on Communist Movement in 1948, Narasimhalu Sankaraiah, went underground. He was hiding in the hut of a dhobi, a party member, in Madurai. Living amid dirty clothes caused him severe allergy, leading to threat to life. Party leaders shifted him to Chennai for treatment. When the crowds rushed out onto the streets of Thoothukudi a small boy ran before them. He was part of the protest, shouting slogans. The execution of Bhagat Singh was an emotional turning point in the freedom struggle of Tamil Nadu also.
A K Gopalan was arrested in Trichy for organising the party. E K Imbichi Bava (Kerala), V Subbiah, Jeevanandham, were also arrested. Sankaraiah became party member in 1940 at the age of 18. When studying in American College Madurai became chairman of the student union and invited Chief Minister C Rajagopalachari for a function. Founded a poetry society on campus and represented the college football team. The freedom movement was at its peak, only Communist Party stood for Poorna Swaraj. It attracted Sankaraiah, and social change leading to a casteless society with economic equality could alone be the solution. Marxism alone could guide humanity towards this goal. Fearless political activities shattered the hopes of his father, who wanted him to become an advocate. He could not complete degree as arrested in 1941 when he was in the final year. After release, became district secretary of the party. He was in jail for eight years before and after Independence three years underground.
Sankaraiah was elected to the Assembly thrice; 1967, 1977 and 1980.He was a powerful speaker in the floor. Acknowledging that eminent Congress leader Karuppaiah Moopanar depicted him as roaring lion. When health deteriorated badly, Sankaraiah followed political developments by reading newspapers with a magnifying glass. He keeps interest in film songs especially of M S Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraja. Also fond of Carnatic music. As a fan of sports, woke up to watch Euro Cup last time. Batting on 100, Sankariah remained active, delivered lectures and talks. Addressed Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists meet in Madurai. Sankaraiah penned several political documents, booklets, pamphlets and articles.
