The new-found bonhomie between the CPI(M)-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Janata Dal (United) came to the fore on Monday on the occasion of filing of nominations for the March 23 Rajya Sabha poll here on Monday.
Mr. Veerendrakumar was accompanied to the filing of the nominations by none other than Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Along with him was Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan.
A beaming Mr. Veerendrakumar was seen exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Vijayan and Mr. Chandrasekharan as he handed over his nomination papers to Legislature Secretary V.K. Babu Prakash.
He filed his nomination as an LDF-backed Independent candidate.
Although the JD(U) is not a constituent of the LDF, the alliance decided to back Mr. Veerendrakumar’s candidature. The JD(U) has sought entry into the alliance. The LDF leadership has told the party to wait till the Rajya Sabha elections are over.
Merger possibilities
The JD(U) has also been told to explore possibilities of a merger with the Janata Dal (Secular), which is an LDF constituent.
Congress candidate Babu Prasad also filed his nomination papers. He was accompanied by Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, IUML leader M.K. Muneer, and Congress leaders K.C. Joseph and V.D. Satheesan.
