LDF will not enter into tactical alliances to seize power in local bodies: LDF convener T. P. Ramakrishnan

  The Left Democratic Front (LDF) State Committee on Tuesday ruled out forging tactical alliances with independents or opposition parties to influence government formation in the ruling alliance’s favour at the local body level.  LDF convener T. P. Ramakrishnan told a press conference that the ruling front would not attempt to seize power through the backdoor in Corporations, municipalities, grama, block, and district panchayats, as it lost.  “The LDF respects the people’s mandate and would not resort to any underhanded tactic to undermine the verdict through political machinations, he said.  Mr Ramakrishnan said the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF)’s hope that it could make LDF allies defect to the Opposition’s camp was misplaced. He rejected reports that the Kerala Congress (M) was considering joining the UDF, citing the Opposition’s winning streak in the local body elections and the LDF’s dismal showing in Christian-dominated Central Kerala, particularly in Kottayam.  He said KC(M) chairperson Jose K. Mani was at the AKG centre for the LDF State committee, and he, along with other alliance leaders, had pride of place at the LDF’s high table. Mr Ramakrishnan stated that the LDF would open its ranks to UDF allies, subject to their alignment with the ruling front’s political and governance line.  When asked whether the invitation was open to the Indian Union Muslim League, UDF’s key ally, and other Kerala Congress parties, Mr Ramakrishnan said, “LDF has no anathema to entities which agree with its political line.”  He said politics defined allies and rivals. “Politics is not transacted personally or under the table, he added.  Mr Ramakrishnan said the LDF has postponed the post-poll analysis until individual parties have conducted their respective examinations. “The LDF State Committee will reconvene in January to weigh lessons learned. It will also plot a path to a third consecutive term in power in the 2026 Assembly elections, he said.  The LDF passed resolutions condemning the Central Government’s move to amend the MNREG law, which requires the Central government to fund the poverty alleviation programme in full.  Mr Ramakrishnan said the Centre wants to further strangle States by demanding that they underwrite 60% of MNREG funding. Moreover, the proposed law reflected the Sangh Parivar’s sly bid to erase Mahatma Gandhi’s name from public memory by renaming the scheme.  The LDF also condemned the Central government-controlled censorship board’s attempts to stifle artistic freedom of expression.  He said the LDF government defied the Centre’s ban on screening films, including those with political content about Israel’s genocide in Gaza and neo-colonialism. Mr Ramakrishnan noted that the attempt to disrupt IFFK, a flagship event attended by delegates from all over the world, dovetails with the Centre’s efforts to censor films it finds politically or socially abrasive and disagreeable. 

Published - December 16, 2025 08:03 pm IST