ALAPPUZHA: The factionalism that cropped up in the CPM in Alappuzha with the Chengannur and Aroor by-elections, came to light after the assembly polls. It was Minister G Sudhakaran who led the Chengannur and Aroor by-elections and the last parliamentary elections. Sudhakaran was behind the victory of Chengannur by-election and parliamentary election. The move against Sudhakaran began with the defeat in Aroor, where the party had an upper hand.

Small groups of CPM in the district organized a joint operation to oust Sudhakaran. The party's assessment was that the defeat in Aroor was due to BDJS upturning votes. However, two who worked to defeat the party candidate were given seat in the assembly polls. Capable ministers were not given seats. In addition to this, they came with a campaign against Sudhakaran. He in turn held a press conference to reveal the truth. He openly said that the political criminals in Alappuzha were working against him for political reasons. This angered the CPM leaders more than the opposition political parties. A M Arif said there are no political criminals in the CPM and that the party had the strength to confront them if there were such people.