Ex-chief minister VS Achuthanandan in ICU, says Kerala hospital

VS Achuthanandan was admitted to hospital on Sunday night. The veteran communist leader has been inactive for the last few years due to his failing health.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Kerala chief minister and veteran leader of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) VS Achuthanandan has been admitted to a private hospital in the state capital with serious age-related complications, Arun Kumar, son of 98-year-old Achuthanandan, posted the information on his Facebook post.

Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan, who fronted the CPM’s 2016 election campaign, had to make way for Pinarayi Vijayan after his party’s emphatic win. (ND-KS)

Later, the Sree Uthradom Thirunal (SUT) hospital also released a medical bulletin.

“He has been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis followed by dyselectrolemia and altered renal functions. He is closely being monitored in the ICU,” the hospital bulletin said. He was rushed to the hospital on Sunday night.

The iconic communist leader has been inactive over the last few years due to his failing health. Two years ago, the leader who has had near cult status in the state, had a stroke and later shifted base to his home town in the Alapuzha district.

VS Achuthanandan was the state’s oldest chief minister ever when he first assumed office as Kerala chief minister in 2006.