Kochi: V S Achuthanandan, the only surviving revolutionary leader who founded CPM among others, was laid to rest amidst an emotionally charged atmosphere amidst incessant drizzle at Valiyachudukad in Alappuzha on Wednesday.
His son V A Arun Kumar lit the pyre with V S Achuthanandan’s wife, daughter and other relatives watching the burning of the pyre.
Chants of slogans raised by one and all including, young and old, immortalized VS who has become a role model of a selfless and fearless leader the state has ever seen.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among other top leaders who dared the Monsoon downpour at the crematorium where other legendary leaders like K R Gouriamma, T V Thomas were cremated.
V S cremation took place on the eve of Karkidaka vavu falling tomorrow when people pay tributes to ancestors and others as per Hindu tradition.
Hundreds waited in long queues to catch a final glimpse of the iconic communist leader who shaped Kerala’s political landscape for decades.
V S Achuthanandan passed away at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on July 21 afternoon.
Countless people flowed into Thiruvananthapuram to pay homage to him, upsetting the official plan to conduct the cremation on Tuesday.
The final journey started only at 2 pm on Tuesday from Durbar Hall in Thiruvananthapuram to reach Alappuzha on Tuesday.
It took 22 hours for the hearse to reach the final destination on Wednesday due to the uncontrollable crowd.
V S Achuthanandan, who was Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011, passed away at the age of 101.
Photo: X
