Alappuzha, April 1 – Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, launched a scathing attack on his former senior party colleague and cabinet member, G. Sudhakaran, on Wednesday, accusing him of political opportunism after his decision to contest as an independent candidate from Ambalapuzha.
Kerala will go to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 new legislators, and as part of his outreach program, CM Vijayan visited Sudhakaran's hometown.
Addressing the media in Haripad, CM Vijayan said that Sudhakaran would "say anything" to gain acceptance in his new political space, adding that he had effectively adopted the "role" of the Congress and was now disavowing his past positions.
"To gain favor, he will make any statement," the Chief Minister said, dismissing Sudhakaran's recent claims.
A four-time CPI(M) MLA and twice a State Minister, Sudhakaran had been a prominent figure in the party for decades.
He served as the Minister of Public Works Department in the Vijayan Cabinet between 2016 and 2021.
However, last month, he announced his decision to contest as an independent candidate from Ambalapuzha in Alappuzha district, leading to his expulsion from the CPI(M), a party he had been associated with at the highest levels for over half a century.
Vijayan asserted that Sudhakaran's exit would have no impact on the party's electoral prospects.
"Opportunists will not cost us even a single vote. Workers stand with the party, not individuals," he said, underscoring the CPI(M)'s organizational strength.
The Chief Minister also rejected Sudhakaran's claim that he could attract votes from the CPI(M), terming it baseless.
He went a step further, alleging that Sudhakaran was effectively a joint candidate of the Congress and the BJP, a charge that reflects the intensifying political battle in the coastal constituency.
Vijayan maintained that Sudhakaran's shift was not a sudden move but a calculated decision that had been in the making for some time.
As the campaign gathers pace, this episode has added a new layer of intrigue to the electoral contest in Ambalapuzha, which was once considered a stronghold of the CPI(M).
Sudhakaran is contesting against his former junior party colleague and sitting legislator, H. Salam, and Vijayan has said that Salam will win easily.