CPI(M) in Kerala steps up attack on G. Sudhakaran, seeks details of election funds

G. Sudhakaran (folder) | Photo credit: THE HINDU

A bitter political slugfest in Kerala’s Ambalappuzha entered a new round with CPI(M) Alappuzha district secretariat member H. Salam launching a scathing attack on G. Sudhakaran, MLA, accusing him of financial irregularities and asking him to clean up his assets.

Mr Salam, who opposed Mr Sudhakaran in the 2026 Assembly elections, questioned the MLA over crores of rupees allegedly collected in the latter’s name and the party’s name during the 2021 Assembly elections. In a social media post on Tuesday (September 8, 2026), Mr Salam also asked the veteran lawmaker to disclose details of collections and explained how the money was spent.

Mr. Salam questioned whether the funds were used to acquire land and other assets, including in Paravur, on behalf of Mr. Sudhakaran’s wife and son.

Taking aim at the MLA’s image as an anti-corruption crusader, Mr Salam asked if Mr Sudhakaran was ready to reveal assets held by his family and details of his son’s NRI accounts.

The CPI(M) leader also challenged Mr. Sudhakaran to clarify whether he had earlier asked DYFI leaders to engage in criminal activities. “A person who has betrayed the party and left has no business claiming to reform the CPI(M),” he said.

A war of words

The latest salvo comes amid an increasingly bitter and personal war of words between Mr. Sudhakaran and CPI(M) leaders in Alappuzha.

“I chose not to respond to every objectionable remark by Sudhakaran. But now he is targeting and defaming those who are working tirelessly for the party and those who worked for the LDF in Ambalappuzha as per the instructions of the party,” Mr Salam wrote.

He accused Mr. Sudhakaran of making repeated personal attacks against women leaders who served as elected representatives, as well as leaders including Saji Cherian, CS Sujath and CB Chandrababu.

Mr. Salam also attacked Mr. Sudhakaran’s criticism of party fund collections. “Communist party fund collections are now an object of contempt for Sudhakaran. But when crores of rupees were collected during elections without proper accounts being kept, did he despise similar collections as well?” he asked.

The row dates back to Mr. Sudhakaran’s decision to end his more than six-decade association with the CPI(M) and contest from Ambalappuzha as an independent in the 2026 polls. He went on to an unlikely victory, defeating a CPI(M)-backed candidate.

The political struggle has only intensified since then. Inaugurating his MLA office in June this year, Mr. Sudhakaran launched a furious attack on the CPI(M) and its leadership, especially former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whom he likened to a “soggy chicken” in the Assembly.

Published – 8 Sep 2026 11:03 AM IST