Thiruvananthapuram, Friday, 05 March, 2010: What seemed like a cakewalk for the CPM on the Rajya Sabha nomination front at one point of time has now become a journey along a path strewn with obstacles what with the RSP insisting on getting one of the two seats that the ruling LDF is sure of winning and two other coalition partners making similar noises, though not with so much vehemence.

The LDF State committee, which met here for about an hour for an exclusive discussion on the question of Rajya Sabha nominations, could not arrive at any decision owing to the differences in the front on the issue. The CPM, which has been eyeing both seats, made it clear at the very outset that both seats were rightfully its, given its strength in the Assembly.

However, this was questioned by the RSP representatives, who pointed out that decisions in such matters could not be based on percentages and party strength in the House.

The CPM stand was conveyed forcefully to the meeting by party State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, but his arguments were strongly rejected by RSP State secretary V.P. Ramakrishna Pillai, who has been under fire from party rank and file for his failure to stake claim to a Rajya Sabha seat when the opportunity showed up the last time.

This time round, Pillai did not mince words and listed the losses that his party had sustained ever since the Kollam Lok Sabha seat was taken away from it in 1999 on the promise of a Rajya Sabha seat.

According to LDF sources, the CPI offered support to the RSP demand, but somewhat meekly, saying that the seat may be given to the RSP since the party was seeking it for party general secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan. The party had gained from the RSP’s failure during the last round of Rajya Sabha elections to stake claim to the seat.

Of the other front partners, the Kerala Congress (J) and the H.D. Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) also staked claim to the seat at the meeting, but without being as insistent as the RSP. The meeting finally dispersed with the decision to meet again on March 11 to try and thrash out the differences.

(News agency)