Fissures in LDF puts the focus on Wayanad seat in Kerala

Now, questions have been asked in public about the stance of the LDF allies, particularly the CPI, Kerala Congress (M), RJD, and NCP. Further, the issue has triggered speculations about a potential realignment, the focus has fallen on the CPI, which currently holds the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat within the LDF.

With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, Kerala appeared set for significant political shifts, casting uncertainty over the state’s political landscape. The domino effect will eventually and immediately be felt in the high profile Lok Sabha seat of Wayanad due for bypolls.

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Internal pressures mount

Viswam demanded the suspension of the ADGP. He criticised the ADGP for meeting the RSS leaders, he said such actions were unacceptable to the LDF. He warned that without appropriate disciplinary measures against the senior police officer, the credibility of both the Left government and its coalition could be questioned by the public.

NCP president PC Chacko urged the chief minister to suspend the ADGP, pending an inquiry, to safeguard the government’s reputation. He argued that such action would enhance the government’s image and increase public support for the LDF.

Chacko, a former MP from Thrissur for 14 years, pointed out that there was an official document in the pooram office, prepared by the central explosive controller, outlining where the public should stand. He criticised the police for ignoring the guidelines during Thrissur Pooram and mistreating the public, contrary to instructions from Minister K Rajan.

The pooram fiasco has been stated as one of the reasons for BJP candidate Suresh Gopi’s win from Thrissur.

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CPI on a crossroads

A crucial CPI meeting discussed exploring potential alliances beyond the CPI(M). Political experts interpreted it as a direct indication of the CPI’s shifting stance.

The Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, responded by stating that the Congress would not actively seek alliances but remained open to welcoming any group or individual that approached it on their own accord.

Viswam was explicit. He said the CPI would not align with someone defamed. “The CPI is a key part of the LDF’s politics, stance, and ideology. It is not a party that will align with someone who is defamed. If the chief minister has asked us to wait for the inquiry report, we have the political maturity to comply,” he told South First.

“We do not wish this issue to prolong indefinitely. The CPI has already clarified its position within the Front. Besides CPI’s concerns, there are no other issues to be addressed. The question about the ADGP, who is responsible for law and order in Kerala, holding meetings with RSS leaders is a valid one. Our stance remains unchanged. There is no shift in our position,” he said.

Before the meeting, Viswam had a meeting with his CPI(M) counterpart Govindan, which sparked speculations on social media. Political experts felt that there could be more complex issues at play. However, neither leader disclosed any details about their meeting.

Inconsistent CPI(M)

Meanwhile, former home minister and Kottayam MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan categorically disapproved of the ADGP’s meetings with RSS leaders.

”The government should closely monitor several important points. A state police officer cannot hold a personal meeting with an RSS leader without obtaining the DGP’s prior permission,” he told South First.

“Additionally, the meeting must be recorded in the movement register. If it is a purely personal meeting, the ADGP should first take leave from work. He is not permitted to visit an RSS leader while on official duty. The government should verify whether these requirements were met,” he said.

The permission needed was from the DGP, not the Home Department. Vijayan has been repeating it for the past several days, but the public would understand what has been happening within the CPI(M), and the ADGP was merely a messenger, Thiruvanchoor opined.

He accused the CPI(M) of adopting different positions on the RSS. For instance, Speaker AN Shamseer recently termed the RSS an organisation in India, while the CPI(M) had previously declared that the RSS was a banned organisation.

“Allies should consider their importance in the LDF. They need to make a decision. It is up to them,” he added.

On the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election, he said the CPI would not impact the Congress’s prospects. The Congress has announced its decision to field AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi in the seat vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi.

Also Read: Fissures in Kerala’s ruling LDF over ADGP’s meeting with RSS leader

Expect the ‘Unexpected’

Political expert Joseph C Mathew highlighted some crucial points regarding the current political scenario. He believed that an immediate realignment was unlikely because the CPI and other allies have limited options. However, if the ongoing controversies escalated, the situation could become unpredictable.

Mathew suggested that the RJD might consider exiting the alliance, using the controversies as a legitimate political reason.

Regarding Kerala Congress (M), Mathew felt the issues might not significantly impact it, and that the party might even contemplate a tie-up with the BJP.

Unlike the NCP, RJD, or CPI, Kerala Congress (M) may not respond politically to the controversies. Mathew speculated that Jose K Mani, Kerala Congress (M) leader, could lose Pala seat in the next Assembly elections if he remained with the LDF, and the MP position might not be an ideal option for him, prompting a possible exit from the LDF.

The biggest advantage for the UDF has not been the disruption within the LDF, but the consolidation within the UDF, posing a greater threat to the LDF.

The controversies have weakened the LDF’s anti-BJP stance, with Muslim leaders and Left MLAs like PV Anvar, Karat Razack, and KT Jaleel questioning Vijayan’s perceived ties with the BJP, potentially over fears of saffronisation.

In the Wayanad Lok Sabha elections, Mathew did not expect a significant contest. He felt the CPI would field a local leader against Priyanka Gandhi.

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Allies committed to LDF

CPI(M) politburo members MA Baby preferred to downplay the controversy. “The LDF is a formidable political front with a vision that extends beyond winning state elections. It stands firm on its principles, unlike the UDF, whose ambitions will remain just that—dreams,” he told South First.

“Our allies are committed and won’t be swayed by the UDF’s attempts at realignment, which have been fuelled by their unexpected victory in the Lok Sabha elections,” he stated.

The UDF won 18 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, while the LDF and BJP managed one each.

“The Congress knows it can’t replicate that success in the upcoming local body and 2026 Assembly elections. Despite winning a majority of seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF suffered a humiliating defeat in the Assembly elections.”

“This loss continues to haunt them, making them desperately court our allies,” Baby added.

(Edited by Majnu Babu).

Domino effect: Why a ‘private’ meeting and its impact on LDF puts the focus on Wayanad seat in Kerala