G. Sudhakaran, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, firmly denied ongoing speculation about his potential return to the Congress party. He attributes the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]’s significant defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections to a substantial ideological shift within the party, moving away from its core Marxist principles.
Sudhakaran asserts the CPI(M) has embraced a soft Hindutva approach and engaged in compromises with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) solely for electoral gains, alienating its traditional voter base. He criticizes the CPI(M)’s perceived dilution of its stance on issues like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and its handling of religious matters.
He highlights the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s (UDF) victory in Kerala, winning 18 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats, as a clear rejection of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) policies and governance. Sudhakaran emphasizes the UDF’s consistent opposition to the CAA and its commitment to secular values resonated with voters.
Regarding his future political alignment, Sudhakaran reiterated his loyalty to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and his commitment to the UDF. He dismissed reports of back-channel negotiations with the Congress leadership as baseless and unfounded. He maintains that his decision to join the NCP was a considered one, driven by his dissatisfaction with the CPI(M)’s evolving ideology.
Sudhakaran also addressed internal dissent within the NCP’s Kerala unit, stating that such disagreements are natural in a democratic party. He expressed confidence in resolving these issues and maintaining the party’s unity within the UDF framework. He believes the NCP’s alliance with the UDF is strategically beneficial and will continue to strengthen their collective political position in Kerala. The core message is a denial of returning to Congress and a strong critique of the CPI(M)’s ideological direction.
