G Sudhakaran stirs row over remarks on CPM leader C S Sujatha

Alappuzha: Former CPM leader G Sudhakaran stirred a controversy on Monday after claiming that CPM central committee member C S Sujatha visits only the homes of Nairs, adoring her hair with jasmine flowers and tulsi (basil) leaves to identify as a Nair. She thinks that Nairs will vote if she visits them, he added. Addressing a UDF election campaign meeting in Ambalappuzha, Sudhakaran questioned Sujatha's "sense of shame and dignity". "Seems like she is in charge of Ambalappuzha. Does anyone even know her?" Sudhakaran asked, adding that he doubted whether she could do anything significant in Ambalappuzha. Sudhakaran also questioned whether there were any martyrs from the homes of CPM state secretary M V Govindan, minister Saji Cherian and Sujatha. He alleged that the situation leading to the murder of his brother Bhuvaneshwaran was created by SFI goons. Sudhakaran claimed he advised his brother against going to the college when tensions were high. "SFI assailants ran into Bhuvaneshwaran's room. They were followed by the KSU members who were earlier beaten up. The KSU members beat Bhuvaneshwaran and escaped through the pipe after opening the window," Sudhakaran said, adding that CPM leaders from Pandalam forced Bhuvaneshwaran to go to the college. Meanwhile, Sujatha responded Sudhakaran's remarks, calling them derogatory and misogynistic. She claimed that Sudhakaran was rattled by the prospect of LDF candidate H Salam winning by a large majority. She said the former communist was making baseless statements. She would decide on legal action against his remarks after consulting with the party. Sujatha emphasized that the Constitution grants women the right and freedom to wear clothes and flowers of their choice, and Sudhakaran's comments were inappropriate. Sujatha stated that she campaigned for Sudhakaran since his candidacy in Kayamkulam in 1996, but now she was fulfilling the party's responsibility to ensure Salam's victory. She added that she visits people without considering caste or religion and has the freedom to enter homes in any part of the district.