Sat May 17 10:40:38 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A controversy has erupted in Alappuzha following former Minister and senior CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran’s claim that postal ballots were tampered with to favor CPI(M) candidate K.V. Devadas in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Devadas has vehemently denied the allegations, stating he never encountered any such incident. Sudhakaran claimed that postal ballots were altered in favor of Devadas. Devadas, who is about to turn 90 years old, says such actions are against the CPI(M)’s principles. While Sudhakaran has since retracted his statement, police have registered a case against him. Devadas lost the 1989 election to Vakkom Purushothaman of the Congress party.

**News Article:**

**Alappuzha: CPI(M) Veteran Denies Ballot Tampering Claims as Controversy Erupts**

**Alappuzha, May 17, 2025:** A political storm is brewing in Alappuzha following accusations of electoral malpractice during the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. Former Minister and senior CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran ignited the controversy by alleging that postal ballots were tampered with to benefit CPI(M) candidate K.V. Devadas.

The claims, made on May 14th, allege that postal ballots belonging to service organization members were collected and altered to favor Mr. Devadas.

However, K.V. Devadas, the candidate at the center of the allegations, has strongly refuted these claims. Speaking to The Hindu, Devadas stated, “I completely disagree with Sudhakaran’s remark about postal ballot-tampering… In the past 36 years, I have never heard anyone say that such a thing happened. No such incident ever took place.”

Devadas, who is approaching his 90th birthday, further emphasized that ballot tampering goes against the CPI(M)’s core principles. “It is undemocratic… Statements like the one made by Sudhakaran will only serve to alienate people who are sympathetic to the party,” he added.

While Sudhakaran has since retracted his statement, claiming he spoke “with a bit of imagination,” the Alappuzha South police have registered a case against him under the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

In the 1989 polls, Devadas was defeated by Vakkom Purushothaman of the Congress party by over 25,000 votes.

The unfolding controversy raises serious questions about the integrity of past elections and threatens to further polarize the political landscape in Alappuzha. The investigation is ongoing.

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