File photo of G. Sudhakaran
G. Sudhakaran, MLA, who won the Ambalappuzha seat as an Independent candidate with United Democratic Front (UDF) support, reminded the ruling-side legislators in the Assembly that he was an Independent MLA. The legislator, who ended his six-decade-long association with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], reiterated his stance when members of the ruling bench applauded his speech during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s Address in the Assembly on Tuesday.The veteran leader also did not spare the CPI(M) and the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government during his speech. Recalling the famous political text One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: The Crisis in Our Party, written by Vladimir Lenin and published in 1904, Mr. Sudhakaran said that if the CPI(M) had listened to the voices of the people of Kerala after taking one step forward by placing yellow marker stones as part of the semi-high-speed rail project, and then two steps backward in the face of public protests, the party would not have found itself in its current situation.“If the CPI(M) had understood what Lenin meant, it would have removed the yellow marker stones immediately. Haven’t the people removed the yellow markers now?” he asked. He pointed out that in the hometown of former Minister Saji Cherian, a yellow marker stone had even been placed inside a woman’s kitchen.Mr. Sudhakaran also expressed his displeasure when the Opposition raised the point of order three times while he was invited to speak by Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. Visibly upset, he asked the Speaker under which rule he had been invited, and was forced to take his seat three times. Later, his remarks drew applause from the ruling side. Responding to the applause, Mr. Sudhakaran said, “I am not speaking for applause. I am an Independent, people’s MLA.”‘Pawns of parties’He also criticised Kerala’s cultural leadership in strong terms. According to him, a majority of the State’s intellectuals had become pawns of political parties and were moving around political circles seeking favours. He further said that a section of the youth was being ruined by the consumption of narcotic substances, including ganja. He also called for the publication of a White Paper on the State’s financial situation so that people could understand its actual status.CPI(M) MLA A.C. Moideen, who participated in the discussion, said that the ruling UDF was being too lenient towards the Centre, as the policy address contained no criticism of the Modi government for undermining cooperative federalism and the principles of fiscal federalism. It appeared that the UDF was preparing to become part of a ‘double-engine’ government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kerala, he alleged.Earlier, M. Vincent, MLA, who initiated the discussion, reiterated the UDF government’s vision of transforming Kerala into an integrated port-based economy by harnessing the full potential of the international seaport at Vizhinjam. Just as Kerala had successfully tapped the potential of tourism, the UDF would explore opportunities arising from the port and leverage its developmental potential, he said. Published - June 02, 2026 04:26 pm IST
