Political thaw in Alappuzha: G Sudhakaran reaffirms CPI(M) ties but defers membership renewal

ALAPPUZHA: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has launched an urgent persuasion campaign to retain veteran leader and former minister G. Sudhakaran, following his decision to refrain from renewing his party membership. The move comes amid a growing rift between the senior leader and the party hierarchy, raising concerns within the LDF regarding its electoral prospects in the Alappuzha district.

The reconciliation process saw a significant development on Friday morning when CPI(M) Central Committee member C.S. Sujatha visited Sudhakaran at his residence. Reports indicate that the meeting served to ease prevailing tensions. In a further gesture of reconciliation, Sudhakaran has been named as the chief guest for the upcoming inauguration of the Perumbalam Bridge, scheduled to be presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tomorrow. His inclusion in the official event posters underscores the party's attempt to acknowledge his seniority and public standing.

Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas reportedly extended a personal invitation via telephone, requesting Sudhakaran's presence at the ceremony. However, the former minister informed the leadership that he would be unable to attend the function, citing health-related issues. Despite this, sources suggest that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is slated to visit Alappuzha for various official programs, may personally visit the veteran leader to further bridge the divide.

While several senior leaders have contacted Sudhakaran as part of this outreach, he has reportedly remained non-committal, choosing to listen to their representations without offering immediate feedback. The internal friction stems from Sudhakaran's public expressions of neglect by the state and district leadership, exacerbated by recent remarks from party officials that he perceived as dismissive.

Amidst this standoff, speculation has intensified regarding Sudhakaran's political future. The veteran leader has indicated that while he intends to uphold his ideological principles and avoid an "anti-party" stance, he may consider contesting the Ambalappuzha constituency as an independent candidate. Addressing his position, Sudhakaran stated that he has not sought the support of the UDF or the BJP, maintaining that any potential candidacy would be as an individual open to broad-based support.

The CPI(M) leadership is reportedly wary of the strategic implications of Sudhakaran’s potential exit. With the party eyeing a historic third consecutive term, the loss of a leader with significant grassroots influence in Alappuzha is viewed as a high-risk scenario, particularly as the UDF continues to monitor the situation closely to capitalise on any shifts in the local political landscape.