G. Sudhakaran interview | Veteran Kerala CPI(M) leader reflects on party leadership, age limits and party ideology Premium

G. Sudhakaran's decision to step aside from CPI(M) State committee due to age sparks discussion on party leadership and ideology.

In 2022, ahead of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] Kerala State conference, veteran party leader G. Sudhakaran wrote to then CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, stating that his name should not be considered for the State committee of which he had been a member for several years. His decision came after the party set a retirement age of 75.

Three years later, as the CPI(M) State conference got under way in Kollam on Thursday (March 6, 2025), Mr. Sudhakaran is not participating but remains a prominent voice in the political landscape, often expressing strong and sometimes sharp opinions.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Sudhakaran says that age should not be a barrier in politics and that no one from the CPI(M) leadership asked him to continue when he informed them of his decision in 2022. “When I expressed my willingness to step aside from the State committee, no one told me to reconsider and continue. Age should not be a factor. It should be based on each person’s ability and willingness to serve. Exemptions are being given and I welcome it,” he says.

On the question of who should be the next Chief Minister, if the Left Democratic Front (LDF) secures a majority in the next Assembly elections in 2026, the veteran communist says: “Currently, the CPI (M) has not set any age limit for parliamentary positions. If the LDF secures a majority again and the CPI (M) decides that Pinarayi Vijayan should continue as the Chief Minister, I will welcome that. That does not mean others are not qualified. Pinarayi has two things in his favour – one is a long political career and the other is extensive organisational experience. However, there is no need to declare now that a particular person would hold the position after the next election.”

Mr. Sudhakaran expresses confidence that the party conference will make decisions in the public interest. “The previous LDF government included both experienced members and newcomers. In the present government, except for the Chief Minister, all the other Cabinet members are serving as ministers for the first time. Many of them are not seniors. Let the people and the party evaluate their performance — whether they were successful or if there were shortcomings,” he says.

The two-time minister says that it is important to assess things and move in the right direction. “The people’s will and opinions must be considered. Only by acting in accordance with the people’s interests can an election be won. I believe that the party will make decisions in the State conference based on this understanding,” Mr. Sudhakaran says.

He, however, declines to express an opinion on the second Pinarayi Vijayan government.