VS turns 96, leaders wish oldest communist leader in the country

Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan turned 96 on Sunday and celebrated the occasion by cutting a cake.

In the persence of close family members and well wishers, Achutanandan cut a cake and his wife gave him a small piece to mark the occasion.

As leaders from various political parties, friends, well wishers and media personnel turned up to wish him,Achutanandan thanked everyone. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was among those who extended birthday wishes to the senior leader. "Conveyed my heartiest wishes to Shri V S Achutanandan, former Chief Minister and senior leader on his 96th birthday. Shri V S Achutanandan is one of the most respected political figures of Kerala," Khan tweeted. The Governor would be visiting Achutanandan tomorrow to wish him personally. CPI(M) state secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Senior Congress leader A K Antony, telephonically wished Achutanandan on his birthday.

KPCC President Mullapally Ramachandran also wished the senior leader. Born on October 20, 1923 in a working class family in Punnapra in Alappuzha district, VS had to end his education at the primary level and was soon attracted to the trade union movement in Alappuzha district.