Veteran CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran has stirred political controversy by openly admitting that postal ballots were tampered with during the 1988 Assembly elections in Alappuzha to benefit the party’s candidate, K.V. Devadas. Speaking at an event held in connection with the Kerala NGO Union State Conference, Sudhakaran confessed that he and other party members had deliberately opened postal ballots, examined them, and even altered votes in favor of the CPI(M) candidate.
He justified the action by saying that approximately 15% of the votes were in favor of the opposition candidate, prompting the intervention. According to Sudhakaran, many union members at the time were unfamiliar with Devadas, which led to them voting for his rival, Vakkam Purushothaman. To counteract this, the district committee took matters into their own hands to ensure Devadas’s victory.
Sudhakaran stated unequivocally that he has no issue if a case is filed against him now, emphasizing that he stands by what was done and is willing to face the consequences. His remarks have reignited debates about electoral integrity and the role of political parties in influencing votes, especially within government employee unions. The revelation could lead to legal scrutiny and political fallout, as the Election Commission may be compelled to take notice of the confession.
