Cong leader seeks JD (S) ouster from LDF for 'ties with BJP'

Kochi, May 19: Former Minister and senior Congress leader K K Ramachandran Master today demanded the expulsion of Janata Dal (S) from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) for their alleged ties with the BJP.

Addressing a press conference here, he alleged the JD-S traded votes from the BJP for their candidates in Kerala elections, 'extending their deal of Karnataka.' ''JD State President M P Veerendrakumar acted as middleman to secure the BJP votes, especially for his son M V Sreyeskumar in Kalpetta.

If the CPM has any concern for their secular credentials, it must expell the Janata Dal from the coalition,'' he demanded.

Mr Ramachandran, who was defeated by Mr Sreyeskumar by 1,841 votes, claimed the BJP votes came down to 5,068 this time from 11,593 in the last Parliament elections.

He also demanded that Mr Veerendrakumar, 'who tried his level best to install his son as a minister,' should resign as JD State President after 13 district committees reportedly said they had no confidence in him by objecting the move to elevate Mr Sreyeskumar as a Minister.

Janata Dal(S) has four MLAs and has its nominee Mathew T Thomas in the V S Achuthandandan Cabinet.

UNI