RJD to remain in LDF, Shreyams not to contest

KOZHIKODE: The RJD state committee meeting held on Monday decided to strongly raise the demand for two additional seats even as the meeting noted that the party was not getting the due consideration in the front.

Though a section of the leaders raised the demand that the party should quit LDF and join UDF, it was decided that the party would continue in LDF as of now. The meeting resolved to demand Chalakkudy and Kovalam seats. The party had contested Koothuparamba, Kalpetta and Vadakara constituencies during the last elections and had won from Koothuparamba seat.

The meeting also saw state president M V Shreyams Kumar threatening to resign over lack of unity in the party and alleged leaking of deliberations at party committees to the media.

The meeting noted that when all alliance partners were considered for ministerial posts, RJD alone was excluded. Despite being a party with relatively stronger public support among the Dal factions, party leaders had earlier expressed resentment that the RJD, which had left UDF to join LDF, did not receive due consideration.

Shreyams Kumar has said that RJD will continue in the LDF and added that though LDF leaders proposed that he contest from Vadakara this time, he has decided that he would stay away from electoral politics hereafter while remaining active in politics.

RJD general secretary Varghese George said the party, which stands fourth in the alliance, was being ignored. He added that there are seats in Kerala where victory is possible if only RJD and CPM work together.