KOZHIKODE: The Kerala unit of the JD(U), which parted ways with the national leadership, following the decision of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to align with the BJP, has decided to strengthen the party at the grass root level before making a decision on its future course of action.
Though the JD(S) has extended an open invitation, the state JD(U) leadership is firm on strengthening the party in Kerala before going for a merger with the JD(S).
A five member committee comprising JD(U) state president M P Veerendrakumar, M V Sreyams Kumar, K P Mohanan, Shiek P Harris and Varghese George will meet in Kozhikode on Thursday to discuss the party’s future course of action.
According to party leaders, much will depend on the outcome of the meeting between the state leaders of the party and rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on September 18.
Though there is confusion within the party over its continuance in the UDF, the JD(U) state leaders believe the party has considerable support base in certain pockets in the state and can be part of a larger political alliance to fight communal forces.
“The JD(S) has extended an open invitation for a merger. But we are not considering it now. We are looking forward to form a secular platform to take forward the fight against communal forces,” said JD(U) senior leader Sheikh P Harris. He said the party’s state council will decide on forming the new alliance.
There have been strong rumours the JD(U) will sever the ties with the UDF and align with the LDF. A section of the JD(U) state leaders has stirred up a debate on the possibility of an alliance with the LDF while leaders like former Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan are against the move.
“It is true a section of the leaders wants to join the LDF. But the issue is so sensitive, we need to debate it. The executive council led by state president M P Veerendrakumar will take a final call on this issue,” said a party leader.
CPM leaders including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sent feelers to the JDU, which left the Left Front in 2009 protesting against the CPM’s unilateral decision to takeover its Kozhikode Lok Sabha seat.
The JD(S) too had come out with statements supporting reunification of the socialist groups. The JD(s) wanted JD(U) Kerala unit to quit the Congress-led UDF for achieving the goal of re-unification.