Veteran Marxist leader Achuthanandan admitted to hospital

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 (IANS) Veteran Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, V.S. Achuthanandan, was admitted to a private hospital, here on Friday after he reported high blood pressure.He turned 96 last Sunday and according to sources close to him, his blood pressure has been erratic of late.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after hearing the news visited him at the hospital.A seven-time legislator, Achuthanandan presently represents the Malampuzha Assembly constituency in Palakkad district.He had campaigned for the 34-year-old Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, V. K. Prasanth, the CPI-M's candidate for the prestigious Vattiyoorkavu Assembly bypoll, which he won on Thursday. Achuthanandan was the Chief Minister from 2006-11.He is also the incumbent chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, which has the status of cabinet.
--IANS sg/skp/