UDF begins to give key positin to defectors

The ruling UDF alliance in Kerala has finally begun to give prominent posts to the CPM or Left Democratic Front defectors who have joined the party. The appointment is viewed as a reply to LDF propaganda that Congress and UDF do not accommodate those who join their fold after leaving LDF or CPM.

Firebrand CPM leader Sindhu Joy has been made the Youth Commission president. The newly formed commission is on the lines of the already existing Women’s Commission. The main mission of the Commission is to study the problems being faced by the youth and recommend the solutions to them. Complaints will be received and they will be solved through adalats. Giving judicial powers to the Commission is under consideration.

It is interesting to note that Sindhu Joy, the erstwhile SFI national vice president, had contested against present CM Oommen Chandy in the assembly elections of 2006. Last year she took the political observers by surprise by declaring that she was resigning from CPM and joining Congress. She complained that CPM did not give her due consideration in the party. At the height of the 2011 Kerala assembly elections, this came as a shot in the arm for the Congress and the UDF.

Sindhu came to the limelight during the recently concluded Piravom by-election, thanks Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan. VS stirred a hornet’s nest by stating that Congress had abandoned Sindhu like a whore after using her during the last assembly elections. VS incurred the wrath of not only UDF leaders but also the prominent CPM and LDF women leaders. He added that when Sindhu was in his party, she got due positions and respect there and Congress did not give any positions to defectors. It looks like that sort of complaint has been defeated by the appointment.

On a similar note, rumour is rife that Sivaraman, former CPM MP from Ottappalam, Palakkat, Kerala, who later left his party and joined Congress will also get some position immediately. These moves appear to be further bait for more who intend to leave CPM or LDF. It is almost certain that R. Selvaraj, who resigned from Kerala Assembly as well as CPM will be fielded by the UDF in the by-election which will take place soon.