Sudhakaran continues silence on on his controversial Facebook post

Kottayam: Veteran CPM leader G Sudhakaran continued his silence on his controversial Facebook post in which he had stated that he will not renew his party membership. Though the post gave multiple indications, including Sudhakaran contesting as an independent candidate from Ambalappuzha constituency, he has not opened his mind so far. On Friday, CPM sent a two-member crisis management team of central committee member C S Sujatha and district secretariat member Harisankar, who is also a relative of Sudhakaran, as part of conciliatory efforts. CPM fears that Sudhakaran leaving the party ahead of the assembly polls could affect their chances in the district, and the worst scenario they fear is Sudhakaran contesting as an independent candidate backed by the UDF in Ambalappuzha.Meanwhile, all eyes will be on chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who will be in Alappuzha on Saturday. He is likely to speak to Sudhakaran either in person or over the phone.Sujatha and Harisankar spent nearly one hour with Sudhakaran and it is learnt from sources that Sudhakaran did not make any change to his decision not to renew the party membership. However, time is there till March 31 to renew the membership. Meanwhile, the govt has invited Sudhakaran as the chief guest for the inauguration of Perumbalam bridge, which will be inaugurated by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at 11am on Saturday. A poster featuring Sudhakaran's name has also been released.The Perumbalam bridge across the Vembanad backwaters was designed during G Sudhakaran's tenure as PWD minister. The poster released by PWD also includes the names of former minister T M Thomas Isaac and former MP A M Arif as chief guests.Meanwhile, minister Saji Cherian stated that the party leadership will resolve the issue with Sudhakaran. He told reporters in Alappuzha that party members, including central committee member C S Sujatha, visited Sudhakaran's house as per the party's directive and added that the party leadership would make all decisions.Sudhakaran is unlikely to take part in Saturday's programme citing health issues. He has not fully recovered after a surgery.