P.C. Thomas in NDA fold

The Kerala Congress faction led by P.C. Thomas, who came out of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) recently following acute infighting, has decided to join the Kerala unit of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

A decision in this regard was taken at the State committee meeting of the party held here on Saturday.

Speaking to

The Hindu later, Mr. Thomas said the decision to join the NDA was taken on the basis of the positive response from the NDA leadership for the demand for a budget, like that for Railways, made by the party.

According to him, he was in touch with the NDA national leadership for some time now, regarding the tie-up.

The State Unit of the BJP which met in Kozhikode recently had welcomed the Kerala Congress and Saturday’s meeting held here has only accepted the invite.

The formal induction ceremony will be held after August 6, Mr. Thomas said.

He said he had discussed the issue with various leaders in the religious and social sectors, including Archbishop emeritus Joseph Powathil, Bishop Mathew Arackel of Kanjirappally, and some of the Latin Bishops.

According to him, in the light of the growth of BJP at the national level, the issue before the party was how to make use of the opportunity for the growth and development of the State.

Issues such as the Kasturirangan recommendations on Western Ghats conservation, dwindling price of rubber, and general slump in the agriculture sector pointed to the need for strong intervention from the Centre.

Reacting to a question, he said the Kerala Congress (Nationalist) [KC(N)] party, at present with the NDA, would unite with his party. KC(N) leader Noble Mathew (who contested the Kottayam parliament seat last time on NDA ticket) was also present at Saturday’s meeting.

The NDA unit in Kerala has as its constituents, the RSP faction led by A.V. Thamrakshan, the Kerala unit of Lok Jan Sakti, and the KC(N). In the light of the alliance with Mr. Thomas, in addition to the proposed tie-up with the SNDP, the BJP hopes to strengthen its base by roping in not only the Hindu votes, but also a section of the Christian votes from Central Travancore area.