LDF Expansion: prospective constituents in hope and anxiety

Thiruvananthapuram: As the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has initiated steps to induct new parties to its fold for expansion of its popular base, it has raised hopes and anxiety to the aspirants. The LDF is scheduled to meet on 26 December to discuss this subject.

From Indian National League (INL) which has been at the doorstep of LDf hoping for entry, right up to the latest applicant, CK Janu's Janadhipathya Rashtreeya Sabha, seekers of a berth in LDF are facing prospects bright and bleak for an entry and then the extent of recognition post-merger.

In addition to these, Lok Tantrik Janata Dal (LJD), Revolutonary Socialist Party (RSP-Leninist), Kerala Congress (Democratic), Kerala Congress (B), Nationalist Secular Conference, CMP, and JSS are parties that already have been co-operating with LDF. A splinter group of INL also has approacehed Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), the lead party of LDF.

For the LDF, it is a challenge to handle all these parties. Some of them are in a path of merger with others. CMP, which originally was formed with those who fell out from CPM, is now in an attempt to join CPM. Therefore, CMP's access to the LDF is not an issue.

However, that is not the case with other parties. LJD, which is trying to gain strength prior to the merger, may snatch a section of CMP and a merger meet is planned for 9th December. The move for merger between LJD and Janata Dal-S was dropped due to difference of opinion.

CPM or CPI for that matter, has no hesitation in absorbing Veerendra Kumar faction of Janata Dal. And the latter's support is crucial in the Lok Sabha constituencies of Kozhikode and Vadakara.

The Kerala Congress (Democratic) is a bit impatient over the delay in merger.

The party to appear latest before LDF is CK Janu's. She had earlier rejected a call to join CPM. Janu, who approached CPI leadership for a second round of talks on Tuesday, was asked by the party's Secretary Kanam Rajendran to apply for becoming a constitutent of the front.

At the meeting on 26th Dec, allies will express their respective stances about the proposals. Until such time, it will be fingers crossed for the aspirant groupings.