A. Vijayaraghavan | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: The Left Democratic Front has decided to field CPM and CPI candidates in the elections for the two seats in Rajya Sabha. LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan announced the decision soon after a meeting held here on Tuesday.
"In the current political scenario, the LDF has come forward with a general proposal to share the seat between CPM and CPI. The subject was discussed in detail, and everyone expressed their opinion," he said while addressing the media
During the meeting, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan suggested that it would be appropriate to give a seat to the CPI in view of the national situation. This proposal was accepted by all.
A Vijayaraghavan said the CPI(M) and the CPI shared the seat after reaching a general understanding among all the coalition partners.
All the parties in the front have put forward their opinion on the matter, Vijayaraghavan told reporters.
"All parties in the front are working in unison. The suggestion came after examining the general situation in the country. The decision was taken not merely on the basis of the membership of each party in the Assembly", he said.
The Left alliance consists of CPI(M), CPI, KC(M), NCP, JD(S), Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) and various smaller parties.
The elections are being held as the terms of senior Congress leader A K Antony, K Somaprasad (CPI-M) and M V Shreyams Kumar (LJD) will expire on April 2.
The Congress has started discussing the party's candidate for its lone seat.
Antony has said he will quit active parliamentary politics and not seek re-election to the Rajya Sabha, but will continue to contribute to party politics in Kerala.
The former Defence minister said he wants younger party members to get a chance and that he had turned 81 and did not keep good health.
The former Kerala chief minister also said he would be shifting base to the southern state after retiring from the Upper House next month.
(With inputs from PTI)
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