G. Sudhakaran criticizes police for registering cases against him in postal voting violations

Former Indian Minister and Senior Communist Party (Marxism) [CPI(M)] Leader G. Sudhakaran criticized police for conducting a case against him after his statement said the postal vote was tampered with in favor of CPI (M) candidates in the Alappuzha constituency of the 1989 Lok Sabha election.

Speaking to Mediapersons on Sunday, Mr. Sudhakaran said his statement on manipulating postal voting was a “verbal strategy.” “I said the negative impact was to have a positive impact. There was no postal voting attack. Where did the evidence of postal voting be tampered with? Should I ask why I asked why I filed a case with me so quickly to register the case, the police have put themselves in trouble,” said Mr. Sudhakaran.

He said retired High Court judge Kemal Pasha believed the lawsuit against him was wrong. “I have withdrawn my preliminary statement and clarified it. Even the CPI (M) candidate in the 1989 poll said that no such incidents have occurred. Now, what evidence will the police collect now?” Mr Sudhakaran said.

“Let the police explain”

The CPI(M) leader said he would not seek the expected bail. “I did nothing wrong. I’m waiting for the police to come and arrest me. Let the police explain in court what I’ve made. I’ll also make my position clear in court.” He added that the opposition will not gain any political advantage from the situation.

Mr. Sudhakaran made a clear reference to the Constitution’s remarks by Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, asking what legal action has been taken against those who challenge the country’s entire legal system.

Mr. Sudhakaran made controversial remarks on May 14. Two days later, he withdrew his statement, stating that no such postal voting occurred. However, Alapzanan police conducted a case against him according to the Election Commission’s instructions.

He has been booked under Sections 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as geneuine a forgotten document or electronic record) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 135 (removal of ballot papers from polling station to be an offence), 135 A (offence of booth capturing), 136 (electoral offence) and 128 (maintenance of secret of voting) of the Representation People’s Law, 1951.