RJD sticks with LDF in Kerala despite local body election setbacks

Bringing an end to speculation over a potential defection to the Opposition, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has confirmed that it will remain within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) fold for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The decision followed a tense State committee meeting in Kozhikode on Monday, where senior leaders successfully neutralised a rebellion from several district units that had been campaigning to switch over to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

The push to exit the Left coalition followed a string of disappointing results in local body elections held in December 2025. District leaders argued that the party’s credibility was at stake after losing ground in key areas, including the Kozhikode Corporation. They blamed the CPI(M) for the defeat of all five candidates the party fielded in the Corporation, accusing its local leaders of internal sabotage and vote-flipping.

Offers to resign

However, State president M.V. Sreyams Kumar took a hardline stance against the move, informing the committee that switching allegiances so close to the polls would be suicidal for the party’s reputation. In a dramatic turn, Mr. Kumar reportedly offered his resignation, a move that eventually forced the dissenting local leaders to fall in line and maintain the current alliance.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Mr. Kumar said that the RJD continued to be an integral component of the Left’s governing framework in Kerala. Any sort of disunity in the front, such as the allocation of chairpersons for boards and corporations, would be resolved through dialogue, he said, adding that he would not be in the race for the Assembly polls this time.

Kovalam and Chalakudy

While the RJD has pledged to stay, the party will also demand a larger share of the pie during seat-sharing negotiations with the CPI(M). It is seeking to contest five Assembly seats, an increase from the three it held in the previous election in 2021.

Apart from the seats it contested in the previous elections — Kalpetta, Koothuparamba, and Vadakara — the RJD has its sights firmly set on Kovalam and Chalakudy segments. The claim for Kovalam is bolstered by the presence of Neelalohithadasan Nadar, whose strong local ties the party hopes to capitalise on, party sources said.