Veteran CPI(M) leader and former minister G Sudhakaran on Thursday announced that he will contest as an independent from Ambalapuzha constituency in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections in the state.
Sudhakaran, a four-time MLA and two-time minister, told reporters that he had not renewed his CPI(M) membership as a sub-member.
“I don’t want to say anything against the party or any party leader personally. But I will fight as an independent. I appeal to people to vote for me. No party or front has approached me to extend support. I will decide to accept support based on its nature. My fight is against political criminals and corruption,” Sudhakaran told reporters.
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Sudhakaran, who has been associated with the CPI (Maoist) for 63 years, claimed that he was being targeted within the party even though he had worked hard for the organization for several decades.
Sudhakaran’s departure from the party and his nomination as a rebel in Ambalapuzha is a major setback for the CPI(M) ahead of the Assembly elections and is likely to reverberate not only in Ambalapuzha but in nearby seats as well.
He served as Cooperation Minister and Coconut Minister in the VS Achuthanandan-led government between 2006 and 2011 and Public Works Minister between 2016 and 2021 in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government. As Public Works Minister, Sudhakaran’s role in expanding the state’s infrastructure in the form of several vital roads, highways and bridges was particularly noteworthy.
His exit from the party will also upset the caste calculations of the CPM. As a senior Ezhava leader, his departure may further erode the community votes of the Congress and the BJP. Ezhava votes form the backbone of support for CPM in Kerala, especially in central and southern Kerala.
