V.S. Achuthanandan is popularly known as "Comrade VS". He plunged into the world of politics through Trade Union activities. He is considered as one of the founding leaders of Communist Party in India as well as played a major part in building a cadre of this party in Kerala. At the age of 83, he with a youthful energy can be found in the centre of people. He is a humanitarian to the core.

Early Life of V.S Achuthanandan
V.S Achuthanandan was born on 20th October 1923 to Sankaran and Accamma in Alappuzha district of Kerala. He was born to the poor Ezhava caste family. He lost his mother at the age of four and at eleven lost his father. He gave up his studies after finishing 7th standard in school. By helping his elder brother he started working in a village cloth shop. He also took up the job at a coir factory.

He experienced harassment and mistreatment as a worker at the Aspinwal coir factory which made him an active trade unionist. Communist Sri. P.Krishna Pillai recognizing his capabilities assigned Achuthanandan to systematize farm workers against feudalism in Kuttanad, Kerala`s rice bowl. Voices of protest began to be heard loud under his leadership. Throughout his 40 years of political life, he was imprisoned for five years and six months, as an outcome of his politics of demonstration. And he has gone under ground for four and half years. He has survived brutal police excesses as well.

In 1940, he became the member of the Communist Party. In 1957, he became a state secretariat member of the CPI. He played an active role in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising. In 1962, he backed the nationalists in the party during the Sino-Indian war, supporting Indian side. With the benevolent attitude for the soldiers, he participated in a blood donation camp.

This senior most leader of CPI (M) in Kerala held the post of secretary of the Kerala State Committee between 1980 and 1992. Since 1985, he was serving as the Member of the Polit Bureau. In 1967, 1970, 1991 and 2001, he was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly and was the Leader of Opposition from 1992 to 1996 and from 2001 till May 2006. At that time he became the Chief Minister of Kerala.

In his long political career, Achuthanandan has served many positions. He became one of the most popular political leaders in Kerala because of his crusade against corruption and anti-social elements in Kerala. He has also served as the editor of the `Deshabhimani Daily`, the mouth piece of CPI(M) in Malayalam. Later he was removed from the post by the reformist leadership of CPI(M).

V.S Achuthanandan as Chief Minister of Kerala
In April-May 2006, the assembly elections took place in Kerala, in which VS Achuthanandan by a margin of 20,017 votes in Malampuzha constituency in Palghat district defeated Satheesan Pacheeni of the United Democratic Front. After the Assembly Elections in 2006, the State Committee and Polit Bureau of CPI(M) with out any objection decided to make Achuthanandan the Chief Minister of Kerala. On 18 May 2006, he took oath of office as the twentieth Chief Minister of Kerala.

During his Chief Minister ship he became successful to revive several public sector units, took measures to tackle price rises and reached an agreement on the Smart City project in Kochi. He also initiated a firm action against the intrusion of government land in the hill resort and tea plantation town of Munnar.

Personal Life of V.S Achuthanandan
On 18th July 1967, he married to K. Vasumathy and had one son and one daughter.