With Kumaraswamy in Modi 3.0, Kerala JD(S) gives in to LDF pressure, set to form new outfit

The Janata Dal (Secular)’s Kerala unit, which is an ally of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state, has decided to float a new outfit, saying that it cannot be part of a party that allies with the BJP.

The JD(S)’s Kerala unit president and MLA Mathew T Thomas told the media Wednesday: “The party in Kerala does not want to be known as a fraction of a party that is an ally of BJP. After considering legal aspects, we will take a decision in such a manner to allow all elected members of the party, including those in local bodies, to continue in their posts. A new party will be registered and the state unit of the JD (S) will get merged into that new party,’’ he said.

The JD(S) has two MLAs in Kerala — Thomas and K Krishnakutty. The latter is the power minister in the CPM-led LDF government.

The JD(S) joined the BJP-led NDA in September 2023. Since then, the CPM has been putting pressure on the state JD(S) unit to either cut ties with the JD(S) leadership or exit the LDF in the state.

The JD(S)’s Kerala unit had then even announced that it had decided to snap ties with the parent party and that it would explore the option of forming a new party to remain with the LDF. But there was no movement on that front so far.

The issue has now assumed urgency after the JD(S) joined the Narendra Modi-led NDA government 3.0 earlier this month, with senior JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy inducted as the Union minister of steel and heavy industries.

The CPM started facing heat from other allies of the LDF. Last week, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which has one MLA in Kerala, has raised questions over the JD(S) continuing to be a part of the LDF Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The state Congress has been alleging