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CPM softens stand on seat-sharing in Kerala

This came after the Janata Dal leadership hardened their stand on seat in the wake of the departure of the RSP.

The exit of Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) from Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has become a blessing in disguise for its minor constituents with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) that heads the opposition coalition softening its stand towards them.

A meeting of the available members of the CPM state secretariat here on Monday has agreed in principle to give one Lok Sabha seat to the Janata Dal. The party’s demand has also received support from other constituents at the LDF state committee meeting held subsequently.

This came after the Janata Dal leadership hardened their stand on seat in the wake of the departure of the RSP. The party had on Sunday threatened to contest four seats on their own if it was not given at least one seat.

Most of the LDF constituents sought a reconsideration of the seat sharing. They justified the demand of the Janata Dal since they have four MLAs. The LDF will be meeting here again on Wednesday to take a final decision.

The CPM is likely to give one of its 16 seats. The other four were given to Communist Party of India (CPI), the second largest constituent of the LDF. The CPM has also agreed to hold talks with other minor partners on seat sharing.

However, the party is not likely to concede the demand of the Nationalist Congress Party and the PC Thomas faction of the Kerala Congress for one seat each. The CPM may placate them with other offers.

The CPM is also planning to review the list of candidates it has finalised for 15 seats. This is in the light of growing resentment against some candidates, especially retired IAS officer, Christy Fernandez in Ernakulam and Congress executive committee member, Philiphose Thomas at Pathanamthitta.

The Ernakulam unit of the CPM felt Christy, Secretary to former president Prathiba Patil, will be no match to Congress nominee K.V. Thomas, a veteran of several electoral contests. The party had zeroed in on Christy considering his connections with the church, which holds a strong sway over Ernakulam seat.

Many in the CPM felt that this may not work as Thomas is also equally connected with the church, which is happy with his performance as Minister of State for Food, especially the food security act he has brought up.

As regards the candidature of Philiphose Thomas, many CPM men feel that the strong stand he took against the Aranmula airport was not a sufficient ground to gift him the seat. The CPM decision to keep the Idukki seat open for another UDF rebel has also evoked strong criticism from within the party.

The flaws in the seat sharing and candidate selection have put the LDF in total disarray. It will delay its campaign and help the rival gain early advantage. The election is crucial for both Congress and the CPM as Kerala is considered favourable to both.

news@khaleejtimes.com