Thiruvananthapuram: M.P. Veerendra Kumar’s move to return to ruling LDF by bringing Janata Parivar under one roof is being seen as a major development which could have significant impact on state’s coalition politics.
The LDF is keen to rope in JDU ahead of crucial 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Even the JDU whose electoral and organisational strength has reduced drastically since its association with the UDF began, is looking for an opportunity to boost its prospects.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to join hands with BJP and the subsequent split in JDU have provided ideal circumstances for Veerendra Kumar to take the plunge. His announcement on Wednesday to resign from Rajya Sabha has set the political process in motion.
After Veerendrakumar’s defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the party continued to suffer back to back rout in local bodies polls in 2015 and Assembly elections in 2016 in which JDU drew a blank. Many in the party believe that the Congress had back stabbed in these elections.
The JDU which once had representation in over 600 panchayats, now has presence in just 110. Similarly the party used to have presidents in 20 panchayats which has now reduced to half a dozen panchayats.
Both CPM and Veerendra Kumar faction believes that coming together of the two parties would ensure win win situation for LDF. The JDU hopes to revive its electoral prospects with the backing of CPM in Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.
The party is eying Kozhikode Lok Sabha seat which it strongly believes can be wrested from the Congress. By bringing JDU in its fold, the CPM also aims to weaken the Congress led UDF on the one hand and defeat the Sangh Parvar’s plan to expand its electoral base in the state.
Though the opinion is divided in the JDU on joining the LDF, Veerendra Kumar faction is hopeful of resolving all issues through internal discussions.
