Former Congress leader PC Chacko joined the NCP on Wednesday days after he resigned from the primary membership of the Congress.
“I am formally joining the NCP today. The NCP is part of the Left Democratic Front in Kerala. Once again, I am back in the LDF as a part of NCP,” Chacko told the media.
Chacko was accompanied by CPI(M) chief Sitaram Yechury at the Press briefing in Delhi where he confirmed his decision to join the NCP. The CPI(M) leads the ruling LDF coalition in Kerala.
Chacko was formally inducted into the NCP in presence of party president Sharad Pawar.
In his first remarks after his entry into the NCP, Chacko attacked the Centre and the BJP. “Today, the need is the unity of the Opposition. A united Opposition should emerge as an alternative to the BJP. I don’t see that initiative in the party which I was a member of earlier,” Chacko said.
Pawar, welcoming the entry of Chacko into his party, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also appreciated his entry into the LDF.
Pawar said there is a need for a third front in the country but it has not been given a shape yet. “We have been talking to different parties. Sitaram Yechury has also stated the need for it today,” said Pawar.
“The Kerala CM called me and told me that the Left is happy with PC Chacko joining the NCP,” said Pawar in his reaction pertaining to joining of the former senior Congress leader.
Chacko has been associated with Kerala’s politics for the last four decades. A four-term Lok Sabha member, his exit from the Congress comes days before the Assembly polls in which the United Democratic Front (UDF) is considered as the prime contender to challenge the Vijayan-led LDF.
Chacko, when he quit the grand old party, alleged that the factionalism with the Congress’ State unit was one of the reasons behind him quitting the party.
Outside Kerala as well, the party has lost direction, he said, adding that the Congress is failing to fulfil the role of largest Opposition party.
“Overall, I do not think the Congress has got a systematic functioning, even at the top. People wanted Rahul Gandhi to be president of the party but he is refusing. It has literally become headless party,” rued Chacko about the fate of Congress.