Tribal leader C K Janu quits NDA

In a minor setback to BJP led NDA in Kerala, Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha (JRS) led by tribal leader C K Janu Sunday decided to quit the alliance following differences with the lead partner.

The decision to snap ties with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was taken at a meeting of the party here, Janu told reporters.

None of the promises made to JRS were fulfilled even after two and a half years, she said adding the NDA has not even called a meeting for the past few months to discuss them.

Janu also said her party was ready to hold political discussions with the Congress led UDF and ruling CPI-M headed LDF.

On the Sabarimala issue, she said the party welcomed the Supreme Court order allowing the entry of women of all ages to the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa.

She also disapproved with the protests over the issue.

Kerala has been witnessing a series of agitations by various devotee groups and Hindu outfits against the SC verdict and the state government's decision to implement the court order without going for any review petition.

On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.