The United Democratic Front is all set for an expansion with the admittance of the Janata Dal (Secular), led by M P Veerendra Kumar, to the opposition coalition. The JD(S) leaders would attend the High Power Committee meeting on Tuesday in Kochi soon after the formal decision is taken.
For the Janata Dal (S), the entry into the UDF would be a big break, ensuring the party’s political survival in Kerala’s bipolar coalition politics. The move upholds the general perception that a political party cannot remain afloat unless it hitches its bandwagon to either one of the coalitions. Apparently, the entry has been facilitated because either side have been willing to make compromises especially in relation to certain policy issues on which the JD(S) holds diametrically opposite views.
The Janata Dal’s entry into the UDF would also be a milestone for the party as it would be breaking away from its past to forge new alliance with the UDF. Till recently, the JD(S) was a steadfast constituent of the LDF and a consistent opponent of the Congress and the UDF. According to Janata Dal (S) sources, the transition would be a difficult process as the party’s links with the LDF has been strong particularly in Malabar.
For the UDF, accommodating the JD(S) takes it yet another step in rallying all anti-Marxist forces in the State, something which it has done several times in the past. “Our functioning styles are democratic. Each party is free to hold its views on issues, yet functions according to a common minimum programme,” a senior UDF leader pointed out.
Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Veerendra Kumar said his party would work in accordance to the common minimum programme and the issue had been discussed in detail with the UDF leaders.
