Ambalappuzha: The UDF will support former minister G Sudhakaran, who is contesting as an independent in the Ambalappuzha constituency after leaving the CPM. According to reports, the Congress leadership has decided not to field a candidate in the constituency. The party is expected to announce the official decision soon. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) had announced its candidate in the constituency yesterday. The sitting MLA, H Salam, is the LDF candidate.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) took the decision to back Sudhakaran after discussions with its constituent parties. Congress leaders are expected to meet Sudhakaran soon to convey their support. However, while announcing his candidature earlier, Sudhakaran had stated that he would not seek support from any political party.

Sudhakaran had also remarked that he would be happy if Pinarayi Vijayan becomes Chief Minister for a third term. In the wake of this statement, some Congress leaders had expressed reluctance about supporting him.

District-level Congress leaders had reportedly conveyed their dissatisfaction to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary, questioning why the party should support someone with such a stance. However, the leadership has reportedly advised not to escalate the issue based on this remark.

The Congress leadership believes Sudhakaran’s comment can be explained to party workers as a tactical move to secure votes from his former party’s supporters.

In the 2021 election, M Liju contested for the Congress but lost to H Salam by 11,125 votes.