The Janata Dal (Secular) leadership meeting to be held on Tuesday morning ahead of the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) State committee meeting is likely to prove crucial for Jose Thettayil, who faces charges of sexual demeanour.
The JD(S) meeting would decide whether Mr. Thettayil, who represents the Angamaly constituency in the Assembly, should vacate his seat. Leaders of various LDF constituents have taken the stand that it was for the JD(S) to take a decision on the issue. The LDF State committee would discuss the issue depending on the stand to be taken by the JD(S) leadership.
Significantly, there was no demand for Mr. Thettayil’s resignation from any quarter in the Assembly on Monday, particularly from the ruling front. Apparently, there is a shared perception among leaders of parties in the Opposition and government side that Mr. Thettayil is the victim of a conspiracy, possibly involving some of his own party colleagues. The ruling alliance has the difficulty that some of its own leaders are faced with similar charges and there could be demand for their resignation as well.
