Kerala News: Impact of Lok Sabha election results on LDF’s Rajya Sabha seat distribution

Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram: The aftermath of the Lok Sabha elections is casting a shadow over the allocation of Rajya Sabha seats within the Left Democratic Front (LDF). With the term of three LDF members in the Rajya Sabha ending, only two may return. Outgoing members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Kerala Congress (M) are vying for these seats, along with contenders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Traditionally, the seats are shared between the CPM and the CPI. However, with Kerala Congress losing its Lok Sabha representation following the defeat of Thomas Chazhikadan, they are now lobbying for a seat for party president Jose K Mani.

The CPM may try to give a Cabinet-level post to the Kerala Congress as a compromise. However, Jose K Mani has expressed disinterest in other posts, and stressed the importance of retaining his position. Their hopes rest on the fact that the CPM will assure them that their privileges within the United Democratic Front (UDF) will remain intact while joining the front.

After losing the Lok Sabha membership, the CPI is insisting on retaining its Rajya Sabha seat and is not willing to give it to the Kerala Congress. As the only party without a ministerial berth within the front, the RJD is pressing for a Rajya Sabha seat. The NCP has also raised a similar demand.