Kerala Unit of JD(S) Merges with ISJD Amid National Leadership Dispute

The Kerala unit of Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) has officially merged with the newly formed Indian Socialist Janata Dal (ISJD), following disagreements with the national leadership over JD(S)'s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka. The Kerala unit, led by Mathew T. Thomas, rejected the national decision and will continue its alliance with the Left Democratic Front (LDF), opposing both BJP and Congress. National president H.D. Deve Gowda stated no authorization was given for separate meetings in Kerala and that the national committee is monitoring developments.