KOZHIKODE: Upset with the decision of JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar to break the grand alliance in Bihar and align with the BJP, the Kerala unit of the party decided to sever ties with the national unit headed by him. The Kerala unit of the party, led by its president M P Veerendra Kumar will now meet to chalk out a strategy on the future course of action including a political realignment. Veerendra Kumar has said the Kerala unit of JD (U) will not accept the decision of Nitish Kumar at any cost.
“We are ready to face any consequences. We have severed ties with Nitish Kumar. There are a few like-minded leaders in the party who have refused to accept Nitish Kumar’s decision. We will evolve a common agenda,” he said. Though the state JD(U) has unanimously approved the party’s stand to sever ties with Nitish Kumar, there is still uncertainty within the party regarding the future course of action. While a section of the party wants to continue with the UDF, some leaders are in favour of returning to LDF.
JD(U) leader Sheikh P Harris told “Express” the party state council has to discuss the issue.
“The state council meeting will decide on the party’s future course of action. As our president pointed out, the JD(U) state unit believes in a grand alliance to fight fascist and communal forces,” he said. There is a debate going on within the state JD(U) unit on the possibility of returning to the LDF. While Veerendra Kumar and a few other senior leaders prefer such a move, a section led by former JD(U) legislator K P Mohanan, who was Agriculture Minister in the last UDF government, are against the move.