Sudhakaran hands CPM major blow with Ambalappuzha victory

Alappuzha: As CPM recorded one of its poorest electoral performances in decades in assembly election, defeat suffered at the hands of its former senior leader G Sudhakaran added to party's setbacks. Months after severing ties with CPM, Sudhakaran emerged victorious from Ambalappuzha constituency as an independent candidate backed by UDF when results were declared on Monday.Sudhakaran secured 75,184 votes, defeating CPM candidate H Salam, who polled 47,249 votes, by a margin of 27,935 votes.Sudhakaran said the result is a setback to those who believe people of the state are ‘idiots' and those who sidelined a large group of people to support a small group. "Broad-mindedness is of utmost importance in democracy," he told reporters.He said he contested the election placing his trust in people of the constituency. Sudhakaran also acknowledged the support extended by Congress after his decision to contest as an independent candidate. "Support of Congress, country's largest secular political party, strengthened me," he said.The veteran leader ended his six-decade-long association with CPM in March following differences with party leadership. The fallout stemmed from party's decision to field Salam instead of him in 2021 assembly election as part of CPM's implementation of its two-term norm.A prominent face in Kerala politics, Sudhakaran represented Ambalappuzha multiple times in the assembly and also served as a minister in the VS Achuthanandan govt and later in the first Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet. His victory is being viewed as a politically significant setback for CPM in a constituency long associated with the party.