The prolonged delay in convening a meeting of Kerala's Left Democratic Front (LDF) has triggered growing unease among its smaller allies, who are pressing for the leadership to convene the front without further postponement. With the UDF scheduled to meet on July 30, the demand for an LDF meeting has gained fresh momentum.
The front has gone nearly three months without a formal meeting, an unprecedented gap attributed to the ongoing disagreement between the CPM and CPI over the appointment of the deputy Leader of the Opposition. The deadlock has also disrupted coordinated political campaigns and joint protests on key public issues, according to alliance partners.
Several allies, including the RJD, NCP, JD(S) and Congress (S), have been urging the leadership to resolve the impasse. Informal consultations have continued among the constituent parties, but no breakthrough has been achieved so far.
Alliance leaders had expected the front to meet after the CPM state committee meeting held on July 23. However, the unresolved dispute between the CPM and CPI has prevented consensus, delaying collective action on issues such as rising prices and other public concerns.
The LDF's decision to launch statewide protests against the reduction in plan funds allocated to local bodies has provided some relief to its allies. The front has announced a march to the Secretariat on July 30, followed by demonstrations outside panchayat offices on August 1 and August 3.
The protest programme is expected to bring all Left partners together and could create an opportunity for the CPM and CPI to narrow their differences during the course of the agitations.
LDF convener T. P. Ramakrishnan said discussions with alliance partners have been continuing even though the front has not held a formal meeting. He added that an LDF meeting would be convened soon and reiterated that the scheduled protests against the reduction in plan funds for local bodies would proceed as planned.
