Alappuzha, 06 March (H.S.): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has stepped up efforts to pacify senior leader and former minister G. Sudhakaran after he publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the party leadership. The move comes amid concerns that the simmering discontent could affect the party’s prospects in the district as Kerala moves closer to the Assembly elections.

In a significant development on Friday morning, CPM Central Committee member C.S. Sujatha visited Sudhakaran at his residence in Alappuzha and held discussions with him. CPM district secretariat member Harishankar also accompanied her during the meeting, which is widely seen as part of the party’s attempt to ease tensions with the veteran leader.

The outreach follows a phone call made on Thursday by CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan to Sudhakaran. During the call, Govindan reportedly clarified that he had not mocked or ridiculed the senior leader, addressing a grievance that had added to Sudhakaran’s dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, the party leadership has extended a formal invitation to Sudhakaran to attend the inauguration of the Perumbalam Bridge scheduled for Saturday. In a notable gesture, Sudhakaran has been invited as the chief guest at the function. His name has now been included in the official notice for the event, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. State Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas will preside over the ceremony.

The programme is also expected to be attended by Ministers K.N. Balagopal, Saji Cherian and P. Prasad, along with Alappuzha MP K.C. Venugopal and former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac.

Interestingly, Sudhakaran’s name was absent from the notice initially issued by the Public Relations Department (PRD). The revised notice, including his name, was reportedly prepared late on Thursday night, indicating the party’s urgency in addressing the issue.

Sudhakaran had earlier taken to social media to express his disappointment, alleging that he had been repeatedly ignored and not invited to several important events in the district. He even stated that he would not renew his party membership due to the continued neglect.

The veteran leader had earlier complained that he was sidelined during the inauguration of the Thottappally Bridge and the ceremony marking the widening of the Alappuzha ‘Muppalam’ bridge into a four-lane structure.

With elections approaching, CPM leaders appear keen to prevent any visible rift with a senior figure like Sudhakaran, fearing that prolonged discontent could weaken the party’s influence in Alappuzha district.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman