Simmering discontent in the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) in Kerala over denial of Kollam seat by CPI(M) reached a flashpoint today with the party firming up its plan to field a candidate against the LDF's official nominee.
The move was endorsed by RSP's state secretariat, which met here to discuss the issue, and a final call is to be made by the state committee, party sources said.
If the RSP puts up a candidate in Kollam against the CPI(M) aspirant, in all probability party polit bureau member M A Baby, that would mean the party coming out of the LDF, either in part or whole.
However, moves are afoot in the LDF to check the ally from taking a hasty decision by offering it a seat other than Kollam, LDF sources said.
CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan appealed to the RSP, which is part of the Left combine at the national level, not to rush to conclusions by giving in to emotions.
"We want RSP to be remain firm on the path of strengthening the Left in the country. Pulling out of the LDF would only weaken the Left unity at a time when there is a clear possibility of an alternative against Congress and the BJP emerging strong," Vijayan said in a statement here.
Apparently to fish in troubled waters, sections in the UDF sent feelers to the RSP leadership that their demand would be considered if they came out of the LDF.
Kollam was once a RSP stronghold and the party had a strong trade union base in the area which had several traditional industries like cashew processing.
Though RSP's founder leader late N Sreekantan Nair had won from Kollam repeatedly, CPI(M) took over the constituency later and had won in 2004.
In 2009, CPI(M) conceded the seat to N Peethambara Kurup of the Congress.
