Kochi, Monday 27 July 2009: The MP Veerendrakumar-headed Janata Dal (Secular), which until recently had been part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), came one step closer to becoming a constituent of the United Democratic Front (UDF) with its leaders holding ‘positive’ talks with Congress leaders here on Sunday.

Veerendrakumar and his party colleagues George Verghese and K Krishnankutty had the first ‘formal’ contact with Congress State president Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy at a closed-door discussion.

Emerging from the talks, a beaming Veerendrakumar told mediapersons that the talks were positive and that he was very happy with the discussions. He said his party had decided to totally delink with the LDF.

Ramesh Chennithala, who termed the talks fruitful, said he would report its outcome to the KPCC executive set to meet on August 7. It would also be discussed with leaders of other UDF constituents and presented before the UDF forum formally for its approval.

Oommen Chandy said the talks were held without any conditions. He recalled that the UDF had got the JD (S)’s support in the Lok Sabha election and he hoped the cooperation would continue.

Veerendrakumar, who was asked about the possibility of an ideological clash between his party and other constituents of the UDF in the future, said parties with differing views on certain issues could cohabit within a coalition.

Asked whether he was sad for having left the LDF camp, Veerendrakumar said politics was a collection of ‘responses and decisions.’ He had felt hurt when the party was ‘chucked out’ of the LDF, but no longer. He also said there were no discussions over a possible seat allocation in the Assembly election.