Senior CPM leader G Sudhakaran to run as Independent in Ambalappuzha

In a major setback for the ruling CPM in Kerala, veteran party leader and former minister G Sudhakaran on Thursday announced that he would contest the upcoming Assembly elections as an independent from the Ambalappuzha constituency.

Announcing his decision at a press conference at his residence in Punnapra on Thursday, Sudhakaran said his candidature would be a protest against “the hostile attitude of the district leadership of the CPM.”

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“I will contest as an Independent candidate in Ambalappuzha. At the same time, I have not abandoned the Communist ideology and politics. For the CPM, politics is the only weapon. I do not have the support of any party so far. I will not join any other party or seek the support of other parties. I will remain a Communist. I am not going to surrender. If anyone attacks me personally, I will hit back. The party will perish if the party attacks me personally,” he said.

“My contest will be against the criminalisation of politics. It will be a major issue that I will raise during campaigning,” he added.

Referring to recent reports about him, Sudhakaran said several statements attributed to him in the media were incorrect. He also dismissed speculation that he would contest with the backing of the UDF, calling such claims “propaganda”.

He further said that although some leaders had visited him, no senior party leaders had approached him for reconciliation.

Sudhakaran recalled that he joined the CPM 68 years ago while still in school and became active in party politics during his time at SN College in 1967. “I did not join the party after being forced by anyone,” he said.

A prominent CPM member since 1967 and founding SFI state president, Sudhakaran served as a minister under both V.S. Achuthanandan (2006–2011) and Pinarayi Vijayan (2016–2021). Renowned for his integrity and direct, honest, and outspoken demeanour, he has the image of an upright, honest, and outspoken leader.

After over four decades on the CPM state committee, G. Sudhakaran was demoted to a local branch role in Alappuzha in 2022. This followed his exclusion from the 2021 Assembly candidate list, as the party enforced a two-term limit for sitting legislators.

Opposition leader VD Satheesan said that the Congress will consider supporting G Sudhakaran, who has announced that he will leave the CPM and contest as an independent candidate in Ambalappuzha. The UDF constituent parties will discuss the matter. After that, an appropriate decision will be taken, VD Satheesan told the media in Kochi.

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said that his personal opinion is that the presence of persons like G is necessary in the Assembly. Sudhakaran’s presence in the Assembly is very good for parliamentary democracy and protecting high democratic values. However, Ramesh Chennithala added that the party and the front will discuss and decide the matter whether to support Sudhakaran or not.