UDF begins discussions on alliance expansion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After its strong performance in the local body elections, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has begun discussions on expanding the alliance. While trying to keep its existing partners together, the UDF is also looking to include new parties in an effort to secure a majority in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The UDF is mainly targeting Kerala Congress (M) and the RJD. Although Kerala Congress (M) has said it will not leave the LDF, the RJD has not yet made its position clear. The possibilities for alliance expansion will be discussed at the UDF meeting scheduled to be held in Kochi on the 22nd. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan’s statement that the UDF would expand its base has triggered these discussions.

Senior leaders have openly expressed the view that Jose K. Mani’s Kerala Congress should return to the UDF, bringing the expansion talks into the public domain. However, there is opposition within the UDF itself to welcoming Jose K. Mani’s faction. The P.J. Joseph faction has said that the Mani group, which suffered a setback in the local body elections, should not be brought into the front. Following this, Satheesan sought to play down the issue, stating that the UDF was not chasing anyone for expansion.

Meanwhile, RJD state president MV Shreyams Kumar had said at a party convention that the party may be forced to take a tough decision as it was not receiving fair consideration within the LDF. His remarks that the party could not remain in the front at any cost were seen as a signal that the RJD might leave the LDF. The UDF has decided to hold informal talks with the RJD.

The RSP feels that it did not gain much from the UDF alliance in the last election, while Kerala Congress (Joseph) is also not fully satisfied. Along with expansion, the UDF is trying to prevent any partners from leaving the front. At the same time, the Muslim League has expressed concern that internal group rivalries within the Congress could hurt the UDF in the Assembly elections.