C. K. Janu’s JRS to Ally with UDF Amidst Congress Dissent
Thiruvananthapuram: C. K. Janu’s Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha (JRS) has officially announced its decision to cooperate with the United Democratic Front (UDF). Discussions are currently underway regarding the potential inclusion of JRS as a constituent party within the UDF coalition.
This development follows JRS’s earlier departure from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing alleged neglect. The UDF leadership reportedly discussed the letter of cooperation from C. K. Janu’s party at its recent meeting. However, a significant faction within the Congress party, a key component of the UDF, has expressed its reservations regarding this proposed alliance.
The UDF has, in principle, agreed to move forward with the cooperation of C. K. Janu and her party. This inclination towards alliance gained momentum after C. K. Janu personally met Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan in Aluva to convey her party’s interest in working with the UDF, subsequently submitting a formal letter outlining their intentions. This initiative comes as local elections are rapidly approaching.
During the UDF meeting held on October 9, the letter of cooperation was thoroughly discussed. Reports indicate that several disagreements emerged during these deliberations. Some Congress leaders pointed to past instances of collaboration where such alliances did not yield favorable results, citing C. K. Janu’s defeat in previous panchayat elections and the subsequent loss of panchayat administrations for the UDF in certain areas. While one section of the Congress advocated for the full inclusion of JRS into the front, another group suggested a more limited external cooperation.
Despite the internal dissent, the UDF has arrived at a general consensus to proceed with the alliance. This decision is also understood to have been influenced by the interest shown by Priyanka Gandhi. It is anticipated that a definitive understanding on the Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha-UDF cooperation will be formalized before the upcoming local body elections.