Alappuzha, March 4: Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Kerala minister G. Sudhakaran has intensified his conflict with the party leadership. He announced that he will not renew his membership during the ongoing scrutiny process, a move seen as a precursor to his exit from the party.
In a strongly worded Facebook post, the 75-year-old Sudhakaran accused the party of sidelining and humiliating him after being moved from the state committee to a branch committee member under the Alappuzha district committee in 2022.
Despite having 63 years of party membership, including 43 years in the state committee, he claimed the district secretary had never inquired about him and kept him away from public programs for five years.
Targeting district secretary M.V. Govindan directly, Sudhakaran criticized comments made at a recent press conference, which suggested he was “not worth considering.” He refuted this claim and dismissed it as a joke during a media interaction.
A four-time MLA, Sudhakaran served as a minister twice, including during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government (2016–21). Since not receiving a ticket in the 2021 assembly elections, he has expressed his discontent, occasionally voicing his grievances, which has unsettled the leadership. Known for his candid speaking style, Sudhakaran has earned respect beyond party lines, a reputation acknowledged even by the Congress-led opposition.
His post also highlighted that he was not invited to the event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, despite being the only leader in the district who faced arrest, imprisonment, and attacks during that time.
With a press conference scheduled for Friday, political circles are closely watching his next move. Given his forthrightness and resolve, many anticipate that he may formally sever ties with CPI(M).
Adding to the speculation, Congress General Secretary and Alappuzha MP K.C. Venugopal has met with Sudhakaran. Indications suggest that if he is willing, he could be fielded from his home ground, Ambalappuzha, with support from the Congress-led UDF, a development that could significantly alter political dynamics in Alappuzha district.
If Sudhakaran leaves the party, he would become the third former CPI(M) MLA to do so, following veteran legislators S. Rajendran and Ayesha Potty, who departed last month. While Rajendran joined the BJP, Potty aligned with Congress.
–
S.C.H.
Leave a Comment