JD(S) chief intervenes in party's Kerala unit impasse

Trouble has been brewing in the Kerala unit of the Janata Dal (S) - the third largest ally of the CPM-led government, prompting the party president to intervene.

JD (S) National President and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda have called his three legislators to Bengaluru on Thursday to meet him at 8 p.m.

The three include Mathew T. Thomas, State Minister for Water Resources, former State Minister C.K. Nanu and K. Krishnankutty.

While Thomas continues to remain in the state, both Nanu and Krishnankutty have already left to meet the party chief.

The present impasse began when the Pinarayi Vijayan government completed its two-and-a-half years in office.

According to a section of the JD (S) owing allegiance to Krishnankutty, there was an agreement that Thomas would relinquish the ministership in Krishnankutty's favour once the government completed the half-way mark of its 5-year term.

However, this claim has been refuted by the Thomas camp.

While Nanu remained aloof for a while, Krishnankutty has now managed to swing him to his side, and both are travelling together to meet their national president.