In a significant pre-election move, the United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership in Kerala has taken decisive steps to widen its political coalition. The decision emerged from a comprehensive UDF meeting held in Kalamassery on Monday, setting the stage for a more formidable opposition challenge in the upcoming state assembly polls.
New Faces Join the Opposition Fold
Briefing the media after the crucial meeting, opposition leader V D Satheesan announced that the front has decided to formally induct new associate members who have expressed a clear interest in joining. Three parties are set to enter the UDF as associate members based on written requests submitted to the front's leadership.
The new entrants include the Trinamool Congress Kerala, led by P V Anvar, and the Janadhipathya Rashtriya Party, headed by C K Janu. Furthermore, the Kerala Kamaraj Congress, under the leadership of Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan, has also sought entry into the coalition. Satheesan highlighted a notable political shift, stating, "Parties of Janu and Chandrasekharan were earlier constituents of the NDA, and they have quit that front. The three parties have given written letters expressing interest in joining UDF. We have decided to make them associate members."
Addressing Past Contentions and Focusing on Welfare
When questioned about C K Janu's prominent role in the historic Muthanga agitation, which was directed against a previous Congress-led government, Satheesan contextualized it as a product of its time. "It was part of the prevailing situation at the time," he remarked, choosing to focus on the present and future.
He emphasized Janu's grassroots work, saying, "Janu worked among the tribal community and emerged as their leader. She and her party were keen to work with UDF and we have decided to take them along." This move signals the UDF's renewed focus on engaging with and addressing the welfare of Kerala's tribal communities as part of its broader political agenda.
Strategic Roadmap for the Assembly Elections
Satheesan made it clear that the current discussions were exclusively about inducting parties that proactively approached the UDF. There were no talks, he clarified, regarding the return of any parties that had previously exited the front. He projected confidence, suggesting that more regional parties are likely to align with the UDF as the election dates draw nearer.
The opposition leader outlined the immediate next steps:
- The new parties have offered unconditional support to the coalition.
- Critical issues like seat-sharing will be finalized after detailed discussions in the coming days.
- Bilateral talks related to the assembly elections will commence shortly.
- The UDF aims to complete its candidate selection process by mid-January.
In a major announcement regarding campaign strategy, Satheesan revealed that the front will organize a statewide yatra from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram in the first week of February. This journey, to be led by him, is designed to connect directly with voters across the state.
Manifesto and Clear Political Stances
Beyond alliances and campaigns, the UDF is crafting what it calls a manifesto for holistic change. Unlike conventional documents, this manifesto is being prepared by an expert committee that has spent over a year conducting detailed studies of various sectors in Kerala.
The meeting also passed a significant political resolution. The UDF will not enter into any form of local governance alliance, agreement, or understanding with either the CPM or the BJP. This draws a clear line for the coalition's post-election strategy at the grassroots level.
Satheesan concluded by stating that preparations for the UDF's 'Mission 26' are already in full swing, with a clear roadmap established all the way up to the assembly polls. The expansion of the coalition marks a pivotal phase in these preparations, aiming to present a united and broad-based alternative to the ruling front in Kerala.
