'He provoked me': Sudhakaran to campaign against minister Prasad as rift in Kerala CPM widens

NEW DELHI: CP(M) rebel leader G Sudhakaran on Friday announced that he would campaign against Keralam agriculture minister P Prasad in Cherthala, accusing him of making “unwarranted remarks.”Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha, Sudhakaran, who is contesting as an independent with the backing of the Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), noted that he had earlier decided not to take part in campaign activities outside his constituency. “I had decided not to attend any election campaign outside Ambalappuzha. But now I have decided to campaign against Prasad in Cherthala, as he has made unnecessary statements against me,” he told reporters in Alappuzha.Sudhakaran alleged that Prasad made the remarks without consulting the CPI’s state or district leadership.“He is the only person in the CPI who has spoken against me. The party has not officially commented on the matter so far. I was silent, but he provoked me into taking this stand,” the rebel leader added.Prasad had recently described Sudhakaran’s decision to contest the election as being driven by a “desire for power" and asserted that voters would reject him.Rejecting CPI(M)’s allegation that he was motivated by parliamentary ambitions, Sudhakaran questioned whether other leaders did not harbour similar aspirations.“People are elected to the assembly to strengthen the communist movement. Earlier, capable leaders were sent. Look at those being elected now. I joined the party in 1963 and now people are trying to teach me about it,” he said.He further alleged that his past statements were now being used against him during the campaign and expressed anguish over attacks on his family by party workers.“These are the reasons why I am contesting this time. Even those in the top leadership who supported false complaints were not corrected,” he added.However, the four-time MLA did not comment on the UDF’s decision not to field a candidate in Ambalappuzha.“Local UDF leaders have met me and extended their support. I will contest as an Independent candidate for the people. Political criminals, in the name of the party, are indulging in campaigning. People will not vote for them,” Sudhakaran remarked.All 126 assembly constituencies in Kerala will go to polls on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4 alongside elections in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and the Union territory of Puducherry.The ruling Left Democratic Front is seeking a third consecutive term in office, with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan also eyeing a hat-trick in the top post.