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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 13 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Cheriyan Philip has said that the Janata Dal (Secular) in Kerala acts as a bridge between the CPI(M) and the BJP.
Philip pointed out that, at the national level, the HD Deve Gowda-led JD(S) is an alliance partner of the BJP.
“Yet, in Kerala, the party remains within the LDF (Left Democratic Front) – a position largely maintained for political convenience and mutual benefit,” Philip said.
Philly, now 70, was the closest aide of veteran CWC member AK Antony in Kerala until 2001. After the rift with Antony in 2001, he moved closer to the CPI(M) and remained a staunch ally until 2021, when he again joined the Congress. He now serves as an unofficial spokesperson for the party.
In the upcoming December local body elections, JD(S) candidates are contesting as LDF candidates in several districts and levels. In contrast, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) – another member of the India block – has been allotted only nominal seats, which Philip said reflects the Left’s “selective approach” to coalition politics.
“Interestingly, while JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy serves as a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, JD(S)’s K Krishnankutty also serves as a minister in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s cabinet in Kerala,” Philip said.
Within the LDF, every ally has been given ministerial representation – except the RJD, whose leader KP Mohanan was kept out. Similarly, when a Rajya Sabha seat became vacant, it was given to Jose K of Kerala Congress, bypassing RJD state president MV Shreyams Kumar. Mani was allotted.
“Completely sidelining Bharatiya Janata Party constituent RJD, while retaining BJP ally JD(S) in the ruling alliance, reflects a strategic soft corner towards the BJP. It reflects a political balancing act by the Left, which seems reluctant to break ties with a party that maintains close ties with the ruling government at the Centre,” Philip said.
–IANS
SG/SKP