Political News

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate the alleged assault involving Youth Congress and Kerala Students Union workers during the Nava Kerala Yatra in Alappuzha in December 2023. The incident involved A.D. Thomas and Youth Congress leader Ajay Jewel Kuriakose, who were allegedly assaulted following a black-flag protest during the then Chief Minister’s visit. The case subsequently became a politically significant issue in Alappuzha. The newly constituted SIT is led by Alappuzha Crime Branch SP Shoukath Ali, with DSP Baiju Paulose serving as investigating officer. The team was directed to complete the investigation and submit its report within a specified period.

G. Sudhakaran secured a major victory in the Ambalappuzha Assembly constituency in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election. Contesting as an independent candidate, he received 75,184 votes and defeated CPI(M) candidate H. Salam by 27,935 votes. The result attracted considerable political attention because Sudhakaran had previously been a senior CPI(M) leader and had represented Ambalappuzha in the past. His victory was therefore viewed as an important development in the political history of the constituency. The official Election Commission results confirm Sudhakaran’s victory with 53.40% of the votes.

The 2026 Kerala Assembly election resulted in a notable change in the political landscape of Alappuzha District. The UDF secured victories in several constituencies, including Aroor, Alappuzha, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad and other seats, while the LDF retained Cherthala and some other constituencies. The election was particularly significant because Alappuzha has historically been an important centre of Left politics in Kerala. The results reflected strong electoral competition across the district and highlighted changing voter preferences. According to the Election Commission’s results, Aroor was won by Shanimol Osman, Alappuzha by A.D. Thomas, Ambalappuzha by G. Sudhakaran, and Kuttanad by Reji Cheriyan.

A.D. Thomas was elected from the Alappuzha Assembly constituency in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election. He defeated CPI(M) candidate P.P. Chitharanjan by 21,015 votes, securing 81,065 votes according to the election results. Thomas, who has a background in student politics and the fishing community, became one of the younger legislators elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. His victory marked a significant change in representation in the Alappuzha constituency, which had been represented by the CPI(M) since 2011. The District Administration’s official website lists A.D. Thomas as the MLA representing the Alappuzha constituency in the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Ambalappuzha legislator G. Sudhakaran on Sunday alleged the existence of a Congress-CPI(M) nexus in Alappuzha in the presence of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. Addressing the inaugural function of the Kerala Khadi Board’s Onam fair in Alappuzha, Mr. Sudhakaran alleged that a section of the Congress, in collusion with certain CPI(M) leaders in the district, had forged an unholy alliance that was fostering corruption. He urged the Home Minister to ensure that the arrangement was brought to an end. “A section of the Congress and CPI(M) criminals are running a joint business in Alappuzha and this should be stopped. If anyone wants proof, I can provide it. This is not politics but an unprincipled alliance driven by opportunism. It is paving the way for large-scale corruption,” Mr. Sudhakaran said. The veteran legislator also accused the Kerala Police of a serious intelligence lapse, alleging that the force had failed to alert him in advance about a protest staged against him by the CPI(M) during a civic reception organised by the Alappuzha municipality the other day. “I attended the function on receiving an invitation. But when I reached the venue, there was no one there. I waited for quite some time but could not find anyone. Later, when I left for another programme, a group of people was waiting with placards to protest against me. The police, the Municipal Chairperson and Congress workers were all aware that a protest was likely. Yet, no one thought it fit to inform me in advance. I am raising this issue so that the Home Minister is aware of it,” said Mr. Sudhakaran, who represents the Ambalapuzha Assembly constituency as an Independent backed by the United Democratic Front (UDF), Responding to the allegations, Mr. Chennithala said he had no information about the charges levelled by Mr. Sudhakaran and described them as local issues. At the same time, the Home Minister urged the CPI(M) to desist from greeting Mr. Sudhakaran with black flags and subjecting him to public humiliation wherever he went. He said the party should show greater tolerance towards Mr. Sudhakaran, who has been elected by the people.