Atul started his political career in his early twenties as a student in Lucknow. He carried the political legacy of his father Dr. A P Singh who, as a veteran freedom fighter, took part in actions of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). He served a long sentence in the British jail for his activities in the freedom movement.

As a result, Atul started taking part in the political activities from his student days. In his early 20s, Atul got elected as the President of National College Students Union. Popular for voicing concerns of students, he also won the presidency of Lucknow University Students’ Union for four consecutive terms. A gifted orator in half-a-dozen languages, Atul joined the Communist Party of India during his university days.

He was one of the main leaders of the famous Police-PAC revolt of Uttar Pradesh. Atul spent four years and nine months in jail during his political journey. Due to his political and ideological conviction and capacity to lead students’ movements, he became the President of All India Students Federation (AISF) in its Ludhiana Conference in 1979 and remained in the post till 1985.

An able organizer in the CPI, Atul got elected to the National Executive Committee in 1992 at 15th Congress held in Hyderabad and became member of the National Secretariat in the year 1995 at 16th Congress at Delhi. He continued that position until his last breath.

He became the General Secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha in the year 1997 at Thrissur National Conference and got elected to the same post in the year 2001, 2006, 2010 and 2016.

He was committed to the cause of farmers. His contributions as the only farmers member of the Swaminathan Commission were noteworthy which made several recommendations including MSP to the farmers’ produce. Atul played an important role in navigating the latest movement of the farmers in proper direction. He had good relations with the leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha who always held consultations with the CPI leader looking after the peasants.

Atul played an outstanding role in building students’ movement, Kisan movement and organizing the CPI across the country. He was a good speaker in many languages. He was sought after by the TV channels and the newspapers for his analysis on peasants issues. The CPI general secretary D Raja condoled the death of his colleague and asked the CPI members to follow his grit and determination. For CPI, the death of Atul in the midst of the crucial Lok Sabha polling is a loss to the party’s campaign as Atul was a regular speaker in election meetings. (IPA Service)