The national leadership of Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] has decided to replace its nominee in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government Water Resources Minister Mathew T. Thomas with K. Krishnankutty.
The decision follows consultations JD(S) president H.D. Deve Gowda and secretary general Kunwar Danish Ali had with Mr. Krishnankutty and C.K. Nanu, MLA, in Bengaluru on Friday.
Though Mr. Gowda had called all the three MLAs for consultation in the wake of serious differences of opinion in the party, Mr. Thomas chose to abstain from the meeting. The national leaders decided to go by an agreement purportedly made for sharing the Cabinet berth for two-and-a-half years among Mr. Thomas and Mr. Krishnankutty, who represents Chittur in Palakkad.
Mr. Ali told reporters in Bengaluru that Mr. Thomas would go by the party decision and the change could be effected smoothly.
Mr. Thomas, who was Transport Minister in the previous LDF government led by V.S. Achuthanandan, had to step down in 2009 to accommodate Jose Thettayil, MLA, in the Cabinet. That too was in line with a power-sharing agreement in the party.
The differences of opinion in the JD(S) had been simmering for a while and the faction led by Mr. Krishnankutty is understood to have succeeded in mobilising the support of district presidents and convincing the national leadership of the clout they wielded in the party.
Mr. Thomas and his supporters suspected the hand of the rival faction behind the personal allegations levelled against him. Mr. Thomas is expected to meet the press later in the evening.
The JD(S) national leadership is understood to have intimated its decision to the LDF leadership. The LDF would only accept the decision of the party, but portfolio allocation is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and it remains to be seen whether the party would be handling Water Resources again, sources said.
