LDF to decide on expansion later

Thiruvananthapuram: LDF state committee on Thrusday decided that all parties which are cooperating with the Front will continue to be part of it.

However, the meeting decided that all constituent partners should have internal discussions on the issue and a  formal decision will be taken after a general consensus.

The LDF leadership’s general understanding is that all parties should be taken along.

At the moment, nine parties are cooperating with the LDF. Loktantrik  Dal, INL, Janathipathya Kerala Congress, KeralaCongress (B) , RSP (Kovoor Kunjmon faction), Kerala Congress (B), National Secular Conference, JSS and CMP. INL and Veerendrakumar’s Loktantrik Dal is on the agenda.

The KC(B) and Kerala Congress (Skariah) had earlier decided to merge  the two parites. However, the merger plan was put on hold. This was also one of the reasons that the LDF decided to hold another round of discusoins on the issue.

The CPM is of the view that parties should be inducted into the Front together and a consensus will be evolved within the Front before taking a final decision, said LDF Convenor A. Vijayaraghavan.

The CPM state committee had recently  given green signal for expansion of the ruling Front.

 The party felt the expansion of the LDF was inevitable in the current political situation in the state. CPM is keen to broaden the base of the Front before 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Besides, the party also wants to keep the flock together to prevent poaching attempts by UDF and BJP.

The LDF decided to organise a state-wide protest on September 17 to oppose the indifferent attitude of the Centre.

The Prime Minister ignored the demands put forward by the all-party delegation which went to Delhi recently.