V.S. Achuthanandan

About

Vayalar Sivankutty Achuthanandan — 'VS' — was Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011, finally achieving the post after decades of being sidelined within the CPI(M) due to internal party conflicts with Pinarayi Vijayan's faction. A legendary trade union organiser and freedom fighter, he was known for his fiercely independent stance against corruption — even within his own party. His term was marked by a large-scale land survey (E-survey) and some friction with the party leadership. At 98, he remains one of India's oldest active politicians.