A high-level meeting of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) held in Kochi on Monday decided to induct the All India Trinamool Congress (Kerala Unit) led by former MLA P V Anvar and Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha led by tribal leader C K Janu as associate members in its fold.
Along with Anvar and Janu, Kerala Kamaraj Congress led by Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan was also inducted into the UDF as an associate member.
UDF chairman and Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan told media persons in Kochi that the UDF leadership has decided to induct these parties as associate members in the front based on the letters submitted by the leaders of these parties seeking to work with the UDF. “As associate members, they will strengthen the UDF in the upcoming Assembly elections.”
Putting to rest speculation about wider realignments, including a possible return of Kerala Congress (M), Satheesan said that the UDF leadership has not authorised anyone to hold talks with parties that left the UDF earlier. “We have not authorised anyone to hold talks with parties that left the UDF earlier. That said, our doors are not closed. Anyone willing to work with the UDF and accept its politics can approach us,” he said, adding that many former Left supporters are disillusioned with the LDF’s “rightward drift”and they are now gravitating towards the UDF.
Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha was earlier part of the NDA. Before joining the Trinamool Congress, Anvar was with the Left and he represented Nilambur constituency in the Kerala Assembly.
KPCC president Sunny Joseph, former KPCC president K Sudhakaran, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML leaders P K Kunhalikutty and P M A Salam, Kerala Congress (Joseph) chairman P J Joseph, RSP leaders Shibu Baby John and N K Premachandran, CMP leader C P John attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Kerala Kamaraj Congress leader Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan denied reports that his party has joined the UDF. He said at a press conference that his party was still with the BJP-led NDA and currently he is its vice-chairman in the state.
Stating that he has a Sangh Parivar background, Chandrasekharan said he has been a Swayamsevak since the age of 14 and that he is still a Swayamsevak. “I have a difference of opinion with the BJP’s actions that do not respect its allies. I have the strength to resolve the difference of opinion. Otherwise, the Parivar movements will intervene and resolve the issue,” he said.
Chandrasekharan further said he didn’t write any letter seeking admission in the UDF. “If I applied to join the UDF, then the UDF leadership should release that letter at a press conference,” he asked the UDF leaders.