If lack of participatory discourse and ill-treatment meted out to the coalition partners are the main reasons cited by SJ(D) when it walked out of the LDF in 2009, it is no different for RSP in 2014.
Taking advantage in both the cases were the Congress-led UDF, pouncing on the oppurtunity to make ‘friends’ with leaders who till the other day were vociferous in airing their views against the policies of the UDF Government.
For anyone calling the move a political expediency after being denied seats, the dissident parties have got a convincing reply-“It is not about the seats. It is all about how CPM sidelines the coalition partners and challenges their very own existence. More often it is unilateral dialogue that takes place from the CPM rather than an open dialogue,”.
The opinion of RSP leader N K Premachandran is no different from SJ(D) when it deserted the Left over denial of its sitting seat-Kozhikode in 2009 for a truck with the UDF.
Now, with the RSP and its two MLAs in UDF fold, a deal brokered by RSP(B) leader Shibu Baby John, the ‘threat factor’ for the UDF Government itself has been nullified.
The CPM failed to woo UDF coalition partners and at the same time they also overworked the political calculus, missing to foresee the predicament that they put themselves into.
On the other hand, it is the Congress’ tactical move and the willingness to hold discussions that ironed out differences it had with its coalition partners.
The SJ(D) which staked claim for the Wayanad or Vadakara seats settled for Palakkad after Congress leadership held seven rounds of discussion with the party.
Though, the Congress after the initial efforts decided against pacifying the JSS headed by K R Gowri who recently joined the LDF fold, it is not the same with other coalition partners.
The UDFs effort to avert a split in the KC(M) over the Kasturirangan report that loomed large even over the ruling UDF Government in the state, threatening even its existence, saw hectic parleys taking place in the UDF.
The crisis situation saw former KPCC president and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala camping in New Delhi, a day before the election declaration.
When there was a growing tension in the KC (M) camp, with a faction led by P J Joseph threatening to move out of the UDF, the Congress was able to depend upon its supremo K M Mani to hold his party together, and at the same time conducting parallel discussion with the Church to pacify the farmers party.
The Congress was also able to mitigate the crisis over the strong claim for the Idukki seat, made by KC(M) for fielding Francis George, at a time when it is no secret that the Left was trying its best to woo in atleast Joseph faction into its fold, if not KC(M) as a whole.