Kerala Janata Dal (S) continues vague strategy on BJP alliance
Thiruvananthapuram: In a strategy to row two boats, the Kerala unit of the Janata Dal (S), which is part of the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front, continues to be vague about its stand towards the party’s decision. Supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda will form an alliance with the BJP.
Even though the Kerala leadership of the party announced that it was opposing Gowda’s decision, the party still remains a part of the Gowda-led JD(S).
Although Kerala leaders had earlier said that it would remain as the official JD(S) as Gowda’s decision to forge an alliance with the BJP was not an official decision of the party, the Kerala unit is yet to take any step in this regard. .
The Kerala unit is also staying away from party leaders CM Ibrahim and CK Nanu’s move to hold a national executive aimed at rejecting Gowda’s decision to forge an alliance with the BJP. Kerala leaders said that this was a step taken without any discussion.
It is understood that the Kerala unit’s ambiguous stand is a kind of adjustment with the Gowda faction. Even Gowda had earlier said that the decision to join the NDA was taken with the knowledge of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Since the statement created a political controversy and Vijayan denied it, Gowda had to withdraw it.
The two JD(S) MLAs in Kerala are Power Minister K Krishnan Kutty and party state president Mathew T Thomas. Steps like clashing with Gowda or forming a new party could lead to disqualification of MLAs.
Asked about the lack of clarity and contradiction in his stance, Thomas told DH that a decision on future plans will have to be taken soon.
While there were reports that a section of the party’s Kerala unit attended the meeting organized by Gowda on Saturday, Thomas said no prominent leader from Kerala participated.
Meanwhile, Nanu said that some leaders from Kerala would attend the meeting to be held in Bengaluru on Monday.
Even after Gowda’s decision to forge an alliance with the BJP, the Congress is criticizing the CPM for including JD(S) in the Left Front. Congress also alleges that this is part of the BJP-CPM nexus.
