CPI(M) Workers Pay Emotional Tribute as V.S. Achuthanandan’s Mortal Remains Moved to Son’s Residence

The Kerala government made comprehensive arrangements at the Durbar Hall of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, 22 July, for the public to pay their final respects to veteran Communist leader and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.

His mortal remains were brought to the Durbar Hall at 9 a.m., with a steady stream of mourners arriving to offer tribute. Authorities ensured strict security and crowd control measures to manage the farewell smoothly.

A prominent figure in Kerala’s political landscape and a founding member of the CPI(M), Achuthanandan passed away on Monday evening, leaving behind a significant legacy.

Leaders from across the political spectrum were expected at the Secretariat to pay homage. Despite the rain, crowds lined up outside the Secretariat gates to catch a final glimpse of the leader.

Before the public function began, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the late leader’s residence and later inspected the arrangements at Durbar Hall.

CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby, State Secretary M.V. Govindan, senior leader Annie Raja, and several state ministers were present at the venue.

Traffic and Access Regulations

To facilitate the event, authorities issued special traffic and entry guidelines. Only vehicles belonging to ministers, MPs, MLAs, and senior officials were permitted entry into the Secretariat premises.

All other vehicles, including those of Secretariat staff, had to be parked at the Central Stadium.

Public access was granted through the North Gate and the Treasury Gate, with the exit mandated via the YMCA Gate.

Parking was strictly prohibited within the Secretariat and nearby roads. Officials urged public cooperation and respectful conduct during the homage.

Preparations for Final Rites in Alappuzha

Achuthanandan, the last of CPI(M)’s founding leaders, will be laid to rest on Wednesday.

An emergency meeting chaired by Fisheries and Culture Minister Saji Cherian was held on Monday night at the District Collector’s Chamber in Alappuzha to coordinate the funeral arrangements. MLA P.P. Chittaranjan also attended the meeting.

The mortal remains were scheduled to travel from Thiruvananthapuram to Alappuzha via National Highway 66 on Tuesday afternoon, reaching his home by 9 p.m.

The body was to be kept at his residence overnight for public viewing until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by homage at the CPI(M) District Committee office by 10 a.m.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the public could pay respects at a specially prepared pandal at the Alappuzha beach recreation ground.

The cremation was planned for 4 p.m. at Valiya Chudukadu, with full state honours. As part of arrangements, beach tourism was restricted, and parking was made available under the flyover near the beach. Police personnel were deployed to ensure security.

Procession Through Thiruvananthapuram

On Tuesday, Achuthanandan’s mortal remains were moved to the iconic Durbar Hall at the Secretariat for public homage. Workers accompanied the hearse from his residence near Barton Hill to the Secretariat.

Ministers and senior CPI(M) leaders followed in official vehicles, while people gathered along the roadsides, chanting revolutionary slogans.

Chief Minister Vijayan, CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby, and State Secretary M.V. Govindan escorted the coffin into the historic hall, constructed in 1869 by the rulers of Travancore.

Leaders across political lines and hundreds of citizens paid their respects. Many described it as an emotional farewell, raising clenched fists as they passed the coffin.

Vijayan and his cabinet were seated near the casket, while Achuthanandan’s son V.S. Arun Kumar was also present.

Achuthanandan’s body lay in state until 2 p.m., after which a convoy of vehicles took him to Alappuzha. The cortege made several stops along the route for public tribute.

The government declared a holiday for educational institutions, government offices, public sector units, and statutory bodies on Tuesday. A three-day mourning period was also announced, with the national flag flown at half-mast.

Final Journey to Alappuzha

In the early hours of Wednesday, 23 July, amidst emotional chants from party workers, the cortege entered Alappuzha district at Oachira.

Officials received the body around 7 a.m., nearly 17 hours after the journey began. Despite the night, hundreds waited roadside to offer respects.

The procession was scheduled to pass through Kareelakulangara, Nagiarkulangara, Haripad, Thottappally, and the T.D. Medical College junction before reaching Achuthanandan’s home, Velikkakathu, in Punnapra North panchayat.

Crowds gathered at his residence, where the body was kept before moving to the CPI(M) District Committee office and then the Recreation Ground by 11 a.m. Public homage continued until 3 p.m.

The funeral was set to take place at the Punnapra-Vayalar Martyrs’ Memorial at Valiya Chudukkad at 3 p.m., with full state honours. Achuthanandan was to be laid to rest near other legendary communists including P. Krishna Pillai, T.V. Thomas, N. Sreedharan, P.K. Chandranandan, and K.R. Gouri.

The Alappuzha district administration declared a holiday for all government offices and educational institutions, including professional colleges, on Wednesday in honour of the late leader.