Deve Gowda’s claim on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s nod for JD(S) alliance with BJP in Karnataka creates stir
The Hindu
JD(S) Kerala unit refutes Deve Gowda's statement on alliance with BJP; Oppn alleges CPI(M)-BJP undercurrent; JD(S) had earlier rejected central leadership's decision to join NDA, opting to stand with LDF.
A political row has erupted in Kerala over a statement by Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] supremo H.D. Deve Gowda on October 19 that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had greenlit his party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka to protect its interests.
Kerala JD(S) leader K. Krishnankutty on October 20 firmly refuted Mr. Gowda's statement.
Opposing the national leadership’s association with the BJP, Mr. Krishnankutty also emphasised his party’s Kerala unit’s commitment to maintaining its alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
"I met him (Deve Gowda) along with our State president, Mathew T. Thomas, MLA, and informed him about our objection in joining the BJP. The State party unit stands by the earlier decision to stand firm with the Left party in Kerala," said Mr. Krishnankutty, who is also a Minister in the LDF government in Kerala.
The Opposition Congress alleged that the JD(S) revelation had established an undercurrent between the ruling CPI(M) and the BJP in Kerala.
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on October 20 said this is further evidenced by Mr. Krishnankutty's continued presence in the Kerala Cabinet.
The CPI(M) State leadership is yet to officially react on the issue.