RSP pulls out of LDF, to put up nominee in Kollam

In a setback to LDF ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Kerala, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) today virtually pulled out of the coalition over non-allocation of Kollam seat to it and decided to put up its candidate against the CPI-M contestant.
With the simmering discontent over denial of the Kollam by the lead partner reaching a flashpoint, the RSP's state unit firmed up its plan to put up party's former MP N K Premachandran as its nominee in the seat, where the CPI(M) is planning to field its politburo member M A Baby.
"When we put up our candidate we will naturally cease to be part of the LDF...We will not be attending the meetings of the LDF," RSP state Secretary A A Azeez told a press meet.

"As far as RSP is concerned Kollam is our seat...If the LDF offers us another seat we will not be accepting that," Aseez, an MLA from Kollam District, said.
Seeking to cash in on the cracks in the rival camp, Congress leaders said they were open to discussions with the RSP, despite that party being a component of the Left combine at the national level.
CPI(M) and CPI leaders, however, made an appeal to the RSP leadership to desist from any move to weaken the LDF and held there was still scope to discuss and bring round the sore partner.

Urging the RSP leadership not to take a hasty decision, CPI(M) state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement that "pulling out of the LDF at this juncture would only weaken the Left unity when there is a clear possibility of an alternative against Congress and the BJP emerging strong."

State Congress chief V M Sudheeran said discussions would be held with RSP after consultations with UDF partners.
"Without any prejudice, we will review the situation (arising out of the RSP's decision)...If they are interested, we are prepared to hold talks," Sudheeran told reporters.
However, sections in the Congress are opposed to abandoning the Kollam seat, which the party's N Peethambara Kurup won in 2009.

Kollam was once a RSP stronghold and the party had a sound trade union base in the area which had several traditional industries like cashew processing.
RSP's founder leader late N Sreekantan Nair had won from Kollam repeatedly. The CPI(M) took over the constituency later and had won in 2004.
RSP's Premachandran, who was a minister in the previous LDF Ministry led by V S Achuthanandan, had won twice from the constituency.