2 months ago
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Former CPI(M) person G. Sudhakaran connected Friday (March 20, 2026) said helium would run against Agriculture Minister P. Prasad successful Cherthala, accusing the second of making “unwarranted remarks.”
Speaking to reporters successful Alappuzha, Mr. Sudhakaran, who is contesting arsenic an Independent campaigner from Ambalappuzha with the backing of the UDF, said helium had earlier decided not to instrumentality portion successful run activities extracurricular his constituency. “I had decided not to be immoderate predetermination run extracurricular Ambalappuzha. But now, I person decided to run against Prasad successful Cherthala arsenic helium has made unnecessary statements against me,” helium said.
Mr. Prasad had precocious said that Mr. Sudhakaran’s determination to contention the predetermination was driven by his “desire for power” and that voters would cull him.
Mr. Sudhakaran alleged that Mr. Prasad made the remarks without consulting the CPI State oregon territory leadership. “He is the lone idiosyncratic successful the CPI who has spoken against me. The enactment has not officially commented connected the substance truthful far,” helium said.
‘He provoked me’
He said helium present has “every right” to run for Mr. Prasad’s decision successful Cherthala. “I was silent, but helium provoked maine into taking this stand,” Sudhakaran said.
He besides claimed that Mr. Prasad had won the past predetermination by a borderline of astir 6,000 votes and that his presumption was not unafraid this time.
Mr. Sudhakaran said that determination would beryllium nary predetermination committee oregon predetermination conventions for him and that helium would support his run minimal.
Rejecting the CPI(M)’s allegation that helium was driven by parliamentary ambitions, Mr. Sudhakaran questioned whether different leaders did not harbour akin aspirations.
“People are elected to the Assembly to fortify the communist movement. Earlier, susceptible leaders were sent. Look astatine those being elected now,” helium said.
He besides referred to leaders specified arsenic A.M. Ariff, Saji Cherian and V.N. Vasavan, questioning their repeated electoral contests, and recalled that “A.K. Gopalan had remained an MP until the extremity of his life.”
“I joined the enactment successful 1963 and present radical are trying to thatch maine astir it,” helium said.
‘Erosion of values’ successful party
Mr. Sudhakaran said helium had voluntarily distanced himself from the CPI(M) by not renewing his membership, citing what helium termed arsenic “erosion of values” successful the enactment successful Alappuzha.
He alleged that his aged statements were present being utilized against him during the run and expressed anguish implicit attacks connected his household by enactment workers.
He further alleged that Ambalappuzha MLA H. Salam had contested the 2021 predetermination projecting himself arsenic Mr. Sudhakaran’s successor, but aboriginal complaints were raised against him for allegedly moving against Mr. Salam.
“These are the reasons wherefore I americium contesting this time. Even those successful the apical enactment who supported mendacious complaints were not corrected,” helium said.
The four-time MLA said helium would not remark connected the UDF’s determination not to tract a campaigner successful Ambalappuzha.
“Local UDF leaders person met maine and extended their support. I volition contention arsenic an Independent campaigner for the people,” helium said.
He besides ruled retired the anticipation of a 3rd Pinarayi Vijayan-led authorities successful Kerala.
“Political criminals, successful the sanction of the party, are indulging successful campaigning. People volition not ballot for them,” helium added.
