RJD turns against CPM, Shreyams Kumar demands ministerial berth

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first shot was fired in the Left Front soon after their pathetic defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. RJD leader M V Shreyams Kumar, a constituent of the LDF, came out publicly against the CPM. Shreyams was angered for not getting a Rajya Sabha seat. He said the CPM should have shown respect over the Rajya Sabha seat and blamed the Left Front for not giving them due consideration.

‘RJD is the fourth constituent party in the LDF. No discussions were held over the Rajya Sabha seats. We joined the Left Front in 2018 with Rajya Sabha membership. The next year we compromised by giving our seat to the CPI. However, no consideration was obtained later. The CPI should have been ready to return the seat this year. We came to the front after being invited,’ said Shreyams Kumar.

‘RJD wants a ministerial berth in the state. Our demand is reasonable and it should be considered. We did not abstain from the LDF meeting. We couldn’t attend the meet due to prior commitments. The activists are disappointed. We are not getting the consideration given to JDS. In the last election, JDS used the same flag all over the country. RJD is a party that does not compromise with the BJP in any way. Everyone should stand together for the unity of the front. Our demands should also be considered hereafter. A change of front is not presently on the agenda. Not saying that we were considered in the UDF. The activists are asking if it is not enough to stand alone. We are a part of the LDF and will stick to it itself,’ he added.

RJD also claimed for the LDF’s Rajya Sabha seat. After being denied a seat in the Lok Sabha, a letter was also sent to the LDF asking for a Rajya Sabha seat. In the absence of consideration in the cabinet, demanded that they should be considered as the fourth largest party in the front. However, this was not taken seriously and one of the two seats of the LDF was given to the CPI and the other to Jose K Mani's Kerala Congress. It is believed that the disappointment following this prompted the RJD to respond to the open statement.