Alappuzha, March 11 – Veteran CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran has sparked fresh political speculation in Kerala after launching his own WhatsApp media group on Wednesday, a day before he was scheduled to address a press conference at his residence.
Attempts to appease him failed even after general secretary M.A. Baby and state secretary M.V. Govindan made their efforts. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was in the district to inaugurate a bridge, also did not visit Sudhakaran's home.
Speculation last week that Sudhakaran would not renew his party membership raised concerns within the CPI(M). Meanwhile, the Congress is adopting a cautious approach.
Sudhakaran, a four-time legislator and two-time state minister, is widely considered one of the most prominent political figures from Alappuzha. His recent actions have triggered intense discussions, particularly amid rumors that he might contest the next Assembly election from Ambalappuzha as an independent candidate.
The veteran leader had recently posted on Facebook that he would not renew his party membership, which he has held for over 5 decades. The post quickly became a subject of debate within and outside the party.
On Wednesday, he launched a WhatsApp media group, seen as an attempt to communicate directly with the public and the media about his future political course.
Sources said that when Alappuzha district secretary R. Naser called him and asked him to submit the membership renewal form, Sudhakaran reiterated that he would not fill it out.
In his Facebook post, the former minister openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the party. He said that after being moved from the state committee to the branch level, the district leadership had not contacted him even once. He also alleged that he was ignored during several public programmes.
Sudhakaran also criticised remarks attributed to CPI(M) state secretary Govindan, saying they implied that he did not deserve further consideration within the party. He described the remark as inappropriate, noting that no one present corrected it, even though it was made in a light-hearted manner.
He further said that he had not received an invitation to the party programme marking the 50th anniversary of the Indian Emergency.
With Sudhakaran scheduled to address the media at his residence on Thursday, the developments are being closely watched.
Sources said that the CPI(M) leadership is carefully monitoring the situation, while the Special Branch wing of the Kerala Police is also keeping an eye on political visitors meeting the veteran leader.
Political observers say Sudhakaran's next move could have significant implications in the politically sensitive Alappuzha region as Kerala heads toward the next electoral cycle.
