Kerala JD(S) to sever ties with Deve Gowda, merge with new party to save MLAs
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H. D. Deve Gowda
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) has decided to sever ties with its national leadership headed by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and merge with a new political party. The move marks a definitive split from the national body, which is currently allied with the BJP at the Centre.
An official announcement regarding the decision is expected on Wednesday, a source told PTI. According to party sources, the state unit plans to merge with a party already registered with the Election Commission of India. This strategy is designed to navigate the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which protects legislators from disqualification if at least two-thirds of the legislature party members agree to the merger.
Currently, the JD(S) has two representatives in the Kerala Assembly—Thiruvalla MLA Mathew T. Thomas and State Power Minister K. Krishnankutty, who represents Chittur. Since both legislators are in agreement, they meet the constitutional requirement to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The decision comes as the state prepares for Assembly polls expected in April. The state unit, which is part of the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, has faced relentless criticism from the Opposition Congress-led UDF. The Opposition has frequently questioned the propriety of the LDF retaining a coalition partner whose national leadership is part of the BJP-led NDA, especially after H.D. Kumaraswamy joined the Union Cabinet. The state leadership believes this formal split will finally insulate the party from the NDA tag and end the political awkwardness within the Left coalition.
(Inputs from PTI)