Sudhakaran To Campaign Against Minister Prasad In Cherthala
Alappuzha (Keralam) : CPI(M) rebel leader G Sudhakaran said he will campaign against Agriculture Minister P Prasad in Cherthala on Friday and accuse him of making unwarranted statements. Speaking to reporters here, Sudhakaran, who is contesting as an Independent candidate from Ambalappuzha with the support of UDF, said that he had earlier decided not to participate in campaign activities outside his constituency.
“I had decided not to participate in any election campaign except Ambalappuzha. But now I have decided to campaign against Prasad in Cherthala as he has made unnecessary statements against me,” he said.
Prasad had recently said that Sudhakaran’s decision to contest the elections was due to his desire for power and voters would reject him.
Sudhakaran alleged that Prasad made these remarks without consulting the CPI state or district leadership.
“He is the only person in the CPI who spoke against me. The party has not made any official comment on the issue so far,” he said.
He said he now has the right to campaign for Prasad’s defeat in Cherthala.
“I remained silent but he instigated me to take this stand,” Sudhakaran said.
He also claimed that Prasad won the last election by a margin of around 6,000 votes and this time his position was not solid.
Sudhakaran said that there will be no election committee or election convention for him and that he will keep his campaigning to a minimum.
Dismissing the CPI(M)’s claim that it was driven by parliament’s ambitions, Sudhakaran questioned whether other leaders had similar aspirations.
“People are being elected to the Parliament to strengthen the communist movement. Previously, talented leaders were being sent. Look at those who are elected now,” he said.
He also questioned the repeated election contests, citing leaders like AM Ariff, Saji Cherian and VN Vasavan, and reminded that AK Gopalan remained an MP till the end of his life.
“I joined the party in 1963 and now people are trying to teach me this,” he said.
Sudhakaran said he had voluntarily distanced himself from the CPI(M) by not renewing his membership, citing what he called “erosion of values” in the party in Alappuzha.
He claimed that his old statements during the campaign were now being used against him and expressed regret over attacks by party workers against his family.
He also alleged that Ambalappuzha MLA H Salam had contested the 2021 elections by portraying himself as Sudhakaran’s successor, but later complaints were lodged against him for allegedly working against Salam.
“These are the reasons why I am appealing this time. Even the senior leadership who supported the false complaints were not corrected,” he said.
The four-time MLA said he would not comment on the UDF’s decision not to field candidates from Ambalappuzha.
“Local UDF leaders met me and extended their support. I will contest as an independent candidate on behalf of the people,” he said.
He also ruled out the possibility of formation of a third government in Kerala led by Pinarayi Vijayan.
“Political criminals are campaigning on behalf of the party. People will not vote for them,” he added.
