The United Democratic Front (UDF) is seriously considering proposals to expand the alliance and a collective decision will be taken soon, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said here on Monday (November 10, 2025).
The Congress leader said parties from different coalitions have approached the UDF. He also hinted at inducting former Nilambur MLA P.V. Anvar, who was earlier denied entry into the UDF despite a severe fallout with the CPI(M), into the Opposition front ahead of the local body elections.
“That is being discussed and there will be some result. We don’t have any such rivalry to anyone, especially me,” Mr. Satheesan told media in response to a question on the possibility of accommodating Mr. Anwar.
Asked about the relation with the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind-backed Welfare Party of India (WPI), Mr. Satheesan said the UDF had accepted the support extended by it during the recent elections and it will continue to do so. “There is no other deal with the WPI. Both the UDF and the WPI have made it clear. They don’t work in association with the UDF directly or indirectly,” Mr. Satheesan said.
He repeated the criticism that the CPI(M)’s allegation that WPI is a communal outfit reflected its opportunism as the latter had for three decades enjoyed the support of the Jamaat-e-Islami.
Mr. Satheesan sounded highly confident about the UDF’s prospects in the local body polls. He said the UDF looks at the polls as an opportunity to prosecute the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government before the court of the people’s conscience, rather than a fight to win local bodies. He said the UDF was way ahead of the rival fronts in poll preparedness, including seat sharing and candidate declaration.
He said the UDF is aiming at winning the Kochi Corporation with a two-third majority.
Published – November 10, 2025 07:31 pm IST
