Anti-defection law: JD(S) Kerala unit comes up with new adjustments to find way out

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala unit of Janata Dal (Secular)‘s JD(S) on Wednesday came up with some adjustments to resolve the issue of its national leadership throwing in its lot with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka even as the former holds a Cabinet portfolio under the CPM-led government in Kerala. 

The meeting convened by Thiruvalla MLA and the JD(S) Kerala Chief Mathew T Thomas has decided that the party will no longer work with CK Nanu and  Deve Gowda factions. However, in an apparent move to escape the teeth of anti-defection law, the leaders Mathew T Thomas and K Krishnankutty will continue in the national leadership. All other leaders will resign from office-bearing roles in the national leadership. That means leaders like Jose Thettayil, Neelalohithadasan Nadar, and PM Safarulla will resign from their respective posts in the national leadership.

It should be noted that back in 2006, JD (S) Kerala had functioned as a separate entity under late MP Veerendrakumar, opposing the views held by Deve Gowda.  

In the meeting, a stern warning was given to those working closely with the ‘Nanu’ group in Kerala.    

The meeting also decided to consider a merger with other Janata parties.