KOCHI: Officially announcing the induction of the Kerala Congress led by P C Thomas into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), BJP state president V Muraleedharan claimed that partners of both Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) were in touch with the alliance and more would join ranks with it soon.
Addressing a press conference after the state leadership meet of the NDA here on Tuesday, Muraleedharan said the alliance would be expanded before the local body elections in the state. “Some partners of both fronts (the UDF and the LDF) are in touch with us and various NDA leaders. Unofficial talks are on at different levels. We will let you know the details at an appropriate moment,” the BJP state president said.
When asked about the rumors that K B Ganesh Kumar of the Kerala Congress (B) might join the NDA, Muraleedharan said that he will not confirm or deny them at this moment. Responding to a question on the talks with the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) leadership, the BJP leader said that it was up to the Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan to react. “Please wait for a few days... Things will be more clear after Onam,” Muraleedharan stated.
Not only the SNDP, organisations and people from minority communities to different community organisations like Viswakarmas, Scheduled Castes are also coming closer to the NDA. The Aruvikkara byelection result has given a jolt to both fronts in the state. People are flocking to the NDA from all communities and this has given jitters to the UDF. The government’s attempt to scuttle and delay the local body elections is the result of the fear that the NDA would emerge as the largest front in the state, the leadership meet of the alliance observed. The NDA meet officially welcomed P C Thomas and his Kerala Congress faction to the alliance. The district-level leadership meetings of the NDA will be held from September 3 to 9 to decide on the strategy for the civic polls. The alliance will field winnable candidates in all the wards. The meeting also decided to unleash a statewide campaign against the state government’s failure to address the basic issues of the public, farmers, students and fisherfolk. The achievements of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre would also be highlighted at the campaign, Muraleedharan elaborated.
BJP leader C K Padmanabhan, Kerala Congress leader P C Thomas, A V Thamarakshan of RSP (B), Lok Janasakthi Party leader Mehboob, Nationalist Kerala Congress leaders Noble Mathew and M N Giri and Kerala Vikas Congress leader Jose Chemberi were among those present at the press conference.