Kerala Left coalition faces a meltdown

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If dozens of expatriate Keralites streaming back into the state following job losses abroad are hoping to look up to the government for solace, they could be in for disappointment: The ruling Left coalition is itself in meltdown mode, of the political variety.

The decades-long association of the CPM and the CPI in the state came close to snapping today, and the rest of the bonding in the coalition also appeared fragile as the Janata Dal (Secular) fumed over the CPM decision not to give the Kozhikode seat to the party.

In dramatic developments during the day the CPI leadership, which refused to accept the CPM decision to have a Left-backed independent candidate at Ponnani instead of a CPI candidate, announced that the party would not mind fielding its own candidates in all 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state if it was denied the Ponnani seat.

The CPI leaders' ire led to speculation that the Left coalition would crack during the day, before the CPI leaders announced that they had put off their decision to Friday. The Janata Dal (Secular) is also expected to take a call on the Kozhikode seat issue on Friday.

Earlier, the RSP had also raised a revolt when it was denied a seat, but the party backtracked on its threat to pull out its lone minister in the V S Achuthanandan ministry if it was denied the Kollam seat.

The CPM-CPI friction began with the decision on the candidate for the Ponnani seat, which is an Indian Union Muslim League stronghold. The CPM is in favour of a Left-backed independent who has acceptance of all coalition members, while the CPI has argued for its candidate there.

Even as the debate progressed on Ponnani, Hussein Randathani announced himself as the candidate there, with the overt support of the CPM. The CPI then picked up the challenge and announced A P Kunhamu, who has a trade union background as its own candidate, bringing the disagreement between the two Left parties to a flashpoint.