LDF Allocates RS Seats to CPI, Kerala Congress (M)

Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF on Monday decided to allocate two Rajya Sabha seats, which will fall vacant on July 1, to the CPI and the Kerala Congress (M) respectively.

The six-year term of three Rajya Sabha MPs from Kerala - Elamaram Kareem (CPM), Binoy Viswam (CPI), and Jose K. Mani (Kerala Congress M) - will end on July 1. With its strength of MLAs in the 140-member state assembly, the LDF can ensure the victory of two of its nominees for the Rajya Sabha. The opposition Congress-led UDF will secure the remaining seat.

The Kerala Congress has selected Jose K Mani as its candidate, while the CPI has chosen P P Suneer. The decision was taken by the LDF leadership after a couple of rounds of discussions to consider the claims of various allies. Even though the RJD had also requested a Rajya Sabha seat, the LDF leadership turned down their demand.

The UDF had earlier allocated the seat to the Muslim League. Harris Beeran will be their candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat.

LDF convenor E P Jayarajan said the decision was taken considering the current political situation. “Our decision will take the coalition forward. The coalition partners are playing a major role in strengthening the front and widening their support base,” he told media persons in Thiruvananthapuram.

The CPM is eager to bolster unity within the coalition after the recent defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Even though the CPM could have claimed one of the two seats due to its strength in the assembly, it decided to give it up for the greater good of the coalition.

With local body polls and the assembly elections scheduled to take place in Kerala in less than two years, the party wants to avoid making decisions that could alienate the allies.