Bihar JD(U) developments likely to have an impact on UDF
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the JD (U) Kerala unit deciding to sever ties with its parent body, the political developments in Bihar are expected to have an indirect bearing on the UDF. Concerned about its existence as a political entity, the JD (U) Kerala unit is almost certain to revive the Socialist Janata (Democratic).
However, contrary to the propaganda Veerendra Kumar and team will return to the Left, they are expected to continue with the UDF at least till the newly-formed outfit secures recognition from the Election Commission (EC).
For securing a regional party status, the Socialist Janata should have a representation in the Assembly, which is presently nil . The other criterion is to gain membership in the Lok Sabha. Though M P Veerendra Kumar is a Rajya Sabha member it is not enough as per EC guidelines.
Sensing Nitish Kumar may join the NDA, the JD(U) Kerala has been keeping fingers crossed for the last a few months to make the right moves. “Veerendra Kumar had warned us against merging the state outfit with the JD(U) as he felt the leaders were not reliable.
We clamoured for the merger. The fears of Veerendra Kumar have come true now,” JD(U) state secretary general Sheikh P Harris told Express. JD(U) state unit had a deep grouse in the UDF ever since it joined the fold. Veerendra Kumar had suffered a devastating defeat at Palakkad in the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. The issue was not settled despite a UDF probe report fixing the onus on a few regional Congress leaders. In the last Assembly polls JD(U) nominee and sitting MLA M V Sreyams Kumar was defeated at Kalpetta.
“It is a fact factionalism in the Congress is damaging the UDF in a big way. It has to be rectified. However, there are no moves to desert the UDF as campaigned by a few,” JD(U) national secretary Varughese George told Express.
The party has already told UDF captains a winnable Lok Sabha seat should be allotted to the party. The most preferred seat is Vadakara, where the group has a base comprising erstwhile socialists. But it is easier said than done,since the seat as well as the adjacent Kozhikode and Wayanad segments are held by the Congress. The only option for Congress to satisfy the JD (U) is to move Mullapally Ramachandran, sitting MP from Vadakara, to Kannur. Thus the UDF will have to pay a big price to retain the group in its fold. A merger with the JD(S) is not feasible as they have three MLAs, including a minister, in the LDF Government now.
Kummanam welcomes JD(U) to NDA fold
T’Puram: BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said the political polarisation in Bihar which saw Nitish Kumar once again assuming office of the Chief Minister with the support of the BJP was the beginning of a change at the national level. However, JD(U) Kerala leader M P Veerendra Kumar was turning his face away from the development. But there are several JD(U) workers who support the national leadership. Kummanam said he was welcoming the JD(U) workers who are frustrated over the neglect from the LDF and the UDF to join the NDA fold in Kerala.