Thiruvananthapuram: With veteran socialist leader M. P. Veerendrankumar making it clear that he was ready to join the LDF if his party takes a decision in this regard, the CPM will have to take allies like JD(S) and CPI on board at the earliest. The socialist leader while resigning from Rajya Sabha on Wednesday had pointed out that he could no longer represent the JD(U) which is now an ally of BJP.
While he has not given any hints on the kind of assurance that he has received from the LDF leadership, sources close to him suggest that the issue of returning to Rajya Sabha as LDF nominee is not ruled out completely. But the big question: Will the other allies agree to any proposal of giving RS berth to a new entrant? Of the 9 Rajya Sabha seats from Kerala CPM and Congress have three each, IUML and KCM one each. One has fallen vacant following Veerendrakumar’s resignation. Given the strength of CPM in the Assembly, the seat which fell vacant will go to LDF. CPI has also been staking its claim for RS since they have just one member in LS at the moment.
The CPI’s lone RS member D. Raja is set to retire in July 2019. In the event of LDF agreeing to give RS seat to CPI, they would have representation in the Upper House till 2023. While the CPI has already given green signal for the return of parties like JDU and RSP, it has not spoken about any terms and conditions for their return. The LDF state committee will discuss these issues after JDU formally decides to leave UDF. Veerendrakumar’s a party will take a decision on its future course of action within two weeks.
