UDF expects move by Sudhakaran will have a ripple effect in Kerala polls

KOTTAYAM: Leaving behind his 63-year association with the Communist party, former minister G Sudhakaran is set to join hands with UDF in Ambalappuzha constituency this assembly polls. The party dissident is contesting as an independent candidate against CPM's H Salam, who is the sitting MLA. BJP district vice-president Arun Anirudhan is the NDA candidate here. UDF has not yet announced its candidate in the constituency but a formal announcement backing Sudhakaran is expected any time. The move to back Sudhakaran was prompted by the UDF leadership's belief that Sudhakaran locking horns with the CPM would benefit the front not only in Ambalappuzha but also in other constituencies in Alappuzha district.Meanwhile, there is unrest within Congress over supporting Sudhakaran. KPCC general secretary M J Job left the party following the development. CPM is mounting a defence against Sudhakaran with the slogan, "No forgiveness, no vote for the traitor".Sudhakaran is campaigning by highlighting the neglect he faced within the party and accusing second-tier leaders of corruption. The political shift of such a senior leader is a major topic of discussion in the region. The UDF hopes that, beyond politics, Sudhakaran's personal connection and popularity among the masses in Ambalappuzha will translate into votes. Sudhakaran won to the assembly as the LDF candidate in 2006, 2011 and 2016. In the last election he contested, Sudhakaran secured a majority of 22,621 votes. Although Salam won in 2021, the majority slipped to 11,125.Meanwhile, Sudhakaran sought the support of community leaders on Monday. He met Vellappally Natesan at his house in Kanichukulangara seeking support for his candidature in Ambalappuzha. He also met Natesan's wife, Preethi Natesan. The meeting lasted over 20 minutes. "Sudhakaran is a respected and popular figure in the district, known for his integrity and effectiveness as a minister," Natesan told reporters after the meeting. Sudhakaran also visited NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair at the NSS headquarters at Perunna and held talks.