Thiruvananthapuram: A third front came up in Kerala today after BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan and BDJS president Tushar Vellapally announced the formation of the Kerala chapter of the NDA. Seat sharing talks between them would be completed in 10 days. The dispute over allocating Kazhakoottam and Kozhikode North for BDJS is yet to be resolved.
Talks were led by Kummanam, BJP national executive member P. K. Krishnadas, former BJP State president and BJP election committee convener V. Muraleedharan, BDJS president Tushar Vellapally, general secretaries Subhash Vasu and T. V. Babu. After the talks, the leaders led a joint press conference at the press club here. Kummanam said the rule of the LDF and UDF had led to people being disappointed and pointed out that there was "imbalance" in the State where development had come to a standstill.
“An alternative had to be formed to combat the other two fronts. We have never held talks with KC (M) chairman K. M. Mani”, said Kummanam.
He added that the BJP’s list of candidates was yet to be finalized including that of former BJP general secretary P. P. Mukundan. He also informed that more political parties would be joining the third front. He was referring to Mukundan’s controversial statement that he would contest as an independent candidate either in Nemom or Vattiyoorkavu. “Actor Suresh Gopi will not be contesting in the Assembly elections, but he will be our star campaigner” added Kummanam.
Tushar Vellapally also reiterated that he would not be contesting the Assembly elections. He added that talks would be amicably held where both the entities had staked a claim for Kazhakoottam and Kozhikode North seats. Incidentally BJP's Muraleedharan and party vice-president K. P. Sreesan have already started working in these respective constituencies. The BDJS has demanded 65 seats which had not gone down well with the majority of the BJP leaders.
