The recent move by RSP to break away from LDF owing to CPM's denial of either Kollam or Pathanamthitta seat in the upcoming elections to the Lok Sabha may, on the face of it seem as a power-hungry and opportunistic move by N.K. Premachandran. After all, CPM had wrested the seat away from RSP in 1999. Since then, Premachandran was a Rajya Sabha member, and then a State Minister. Now that he is neither, he wants the Lok Sabha seat back.
However, this may be the straw that broke the camel's back. The fault-lines have been evident for many years now, and the fact that CPM considers Phillipose Thomas, a card-holding Congressman as a better candidate than its long standing ally (RSP) actually leaves RSP with no choice but to break away.
The travesty would come if RSP takes Congress support, considering that N. K. Premachandran has been the most vocal critic of the UDF/UPA misrule all these while.
Actually, CPM believes it has a monopoly of Left voice. The smaller parties that break away making a beeline to the UDF camp strengthen this perspective.
RSP has a golden opportunity to unite all the anti-CPM left parties and offer a viable Left alternative in Kerala. RSP, JD, RMP, JSS, CMP, VS-fraction of CPM etc. can become a viable force.
It may not bring in short term dividends - RSP may lose the Kollam seat now, but they can surely reap long term benefits.
Alternatively, considering that RSP leaders, especially Premchandran have a clean image they can even think of allying with AAP. In fact, Premchandran can even think in terms of joining AAP and become the face of AAP in Kerala.
However, this may be the straw that broke the camel's back. The fault-lines have been evident for many years now, and the fact that CPM considers Phillipose Thomas, a card-holding Congressman as a better candidate than its long standing ally (RSP) actually leaves RSP with no choice but to break away.
The travesty would come if RSP takes Congress support, considering that N. K. Premachandran has been the most vocal critic of the UDF/UPA misrule all these while.
Actually, CPM believes it has a monopoly of Left voice. The smaller parties that break away making a beeline to the UDF camp strengthen this perspective.
RSP has a golden opportunity to unite all the anti-CPM left parties and offer a viable Left alternative in Kerala. RSP, JD, RMP, JSS, CMP, VS-fraction of CPM etc. can become a viable force.
It may not bring in short term dividends - RSP may lose the Kollam seat now, but they can surely reap long term benefits.
Alternatively, considering that RSP leaders, especially Premchandran have a clean image they can even think of allying with AAP. In fact, Premchandran can even think in terms of joining AAP and become the face of AAP in Kerala.