Alappuzha (Kerala) | A sea of people gathered at the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and at the CPI(M) district committee office here on Wednesday to pay their final respects to the veteran leader, who died at the age of 101 in Thiruvananthapuram on July 21.

From young children to the elderly, people from all walks of life arrived in large numbers -- many holding flowers, some with tears in their eyes.

Among them were not only longtime supporters of the Communist party, but also people from other political backgrounds, united in their respect for the stalwart.

The atmosphere outside Achuthanandan's home and at the district committee office was charged with emotion, as many mourners -- mainly his supporters and party workers-- raised slogans praising him, while others stood in silence to bid farewell to the man they called "Comrade VS".

His final journey, which began in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday afternoon, reached his home after a 22-hour procession, marked by crowds lining the route despite the rain and late hours.

His cremation will be held at Valiya Chudukadu later in the evening, where many of Kerala's Communist martyrs and leaders also rest.