RSP factions to merge June 10, to moot Left-Cong alliance

Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), which broke ranks with LDF in Kerala on the eve of Lok Sabha polls and joined Congress-led UDF, will merge with RSP(B), which is already a partner in the ruling alliance, at a conference at Kollam on June 10.
The merger will mark a complete break of RSP with the Left block though its leaders claim the party would strive for a broader alliance of secular and democratic forces, including Congress, as a "credible" alternative to NDA at the Centre.
Two MLAs of RSP, including its state secretary A A Azeez, would be sitting in UDF benches in the assembly when its monsoon session begins on Monday.

Sore over denial of Kollam Lok Sabha seat, RSP pulled out of LDF and its candidate N K Premachandran was elected defeating CPI(M) politbureau member M A Baby.
In return for alloting Kollam seat to RSP, Congress in the state had extracted a promise that if got elected Premachandran would remain part of UPA at the Centre.
RSP(B) faction, led by state Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, has for long been with UDF and the two factions would merge to become a single party on June 10.

Asked about the party's approach towards the Left block at the national level, Azeez said "we stand for strengthening the unity of the Left and secular forces with Congress playing a key role."

"In the changed circumstances with NDA in power at the Centre, a credible alternative should include Congress. Our party is aware of this and we expect that there would be a realignment in that direction in the coming days with CPI(M) and CPI also accepting the reality," Azeez told PTI.
He said RSP all-India secretary T J Chandrachoodan, West Bengal unit secretary Kshiti Goswamy and national council member Sukumar Ghosh would attend the "re-unification" meet.