THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: JD(S) state committee will discuss the merger of JD(S) Kerala unit with Samajwadi Party on 18th of this month.

With JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy becoming a member of the Union Cabinet, the state unit is speeding up the talks to form another party. Former minister and party leader Jose Thattayil clarified that formal talks with Samajwadi have not started regarding the merger.

Apart from Samajwadi, a merger with RJD and formation of a new party under the leadership of Tatayil is also being discussed. The state committee will consider all the three proposals on that day. In addition, the formation of a party with a broad political base by using the influence of small parties is also under consideration. In addition to the Prajwal Revanna's rape controversy, the party's national leadership's representation in the Union Cabinet has also created anger among key leaders and workers in the state.

The district office-bearers are also demanding that the Kerala unit should come to a political stand as soon as possible and this status quo cannot continue. Even if the new party formation and merger takes place, currently Minister Krishnankutty and Mathew T. Thomas MLA also has the limitation of not being a member. A section of the party argues that due to this the talks are slowing down.

The RJD, another Janata Dal faction in the LDF, is tightening its case for the ministerial post. It is argued that all the constituent parties in the front are being neglected despite getting ministerial positions.