Political killing revives Sudhakaran's career

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The violent chain of politics in Kannur has leaders popping in and out. The savage killing of Youth Congress Mattannur block secretary T. H. Shuhaib, allegedly by “killers belonging to CPM”, has resurrected Congress leader K. Sudhakaran, who used to be confined to social media, with his K. S. Brigade.

Acolytes and leaders of brand Sudhakaran clamour for his leadership, feeling helpless under the CPM-led regime that is seen to blink as cadre dispense “red tyranny”.

Mr Sudhakaran was at a meeting of Indian Cultural and Arts Society in Doha last Monday when Shuhaib was butchered. Kannur DCC president Satheesan Pacheni told DC that he had a tough time pacifying YC leaders in the district who were baying for “the blood of murderers”.

“There was no physical retaliation. Usually Sudhakaran’s style is different but fortunately the State leadership prevailed”, said Mr Satheesan Pacheni.

Ever since Mr Sudhakaran lost the Lok Sabha election in Kannur in 2014 and later the Assembly election in Uduma in 2016, he has been in sulks without a party post. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala’s ‘Padayorukkam’ saw him riding along the yatra.

Congress leader K. Muraleedharan told DC that party workers in Kannur feel so despondent and look up to a neta, who can at least attempt to pay back the assailants in the same coin. “Sudhakaran can stand up to the powerful Kannur CPM leaders. It was during Sudhakaran’s tenure as Kannur DCC president in 1992 that he started the initiative to support families of the injured and slain workers of Congress. He collects funds from the Gulf to fund families of Kannur violence victims”, said Muraleedharan.

According to Mr Sudhakaran, his supporters spread out in 19 countries had formed K. S. Brigade, which has got more than 2,000 members. They donate a part of their salary to charity under the banner of K. S. Brigade to reach medical aid and funds for needy children’s education.