Speculations are rife whether the 96-year-old KR Gouri (Gouriamma for Keralites), former Communist firebrand and four-time minister in Communist-led governments, would join BJP. Hurt by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front's unexpected decision to deny her Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samiti even a single seat to contest in the upcoming Assembly election, Gouriamma is said to be evaluating the pros and cons of shaking hands with the NDA.
Sensing a grand opportunity, BJP is said to have intensified its efforts from Monday to woo her to the NDA. The JSS (Rajan Babu), which had broken away from Gouri's party, had recently joined the NDA. The BJP is learnt to be using him and her former colleagues to encourage her to make the cross-over.
"I welcome the NDA's invitation," Gouri told the media on Wednesday. She said the CPI(M) had cheated her outright and that she had not felt this hurt even in 1994 when it expelled her. However, she was tight-lipped on her response to the BJP invitation. All that she would say was that her party's State committee would meet in a few days and take a decision.
If Gouriamma joins the NDA, it will be not only a big blow to the communist movement but a new avtaar for one of India's earliest female Communists who has been an icon of courage, leadership and willpower.
BJP may snatch grand old lady of Communist movement
By IndianMandarins - 2016-03-31 10:48:33
Speculations are rife whether the 96-year-old KR Gouri (Gouriamma for Keralites), former Communist firebrand and four-time minister in Communist-led governments, would join BJP. Hurt by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front's unexpected decision to deny her Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samiti even a single seat to contest in the upcoming Assembly election, Gouriamma is said to be evaluating the pros and cons of shaking hands with the NDA.
Sensing a grand opportunity, BJP is said to have intensified its efforts from Monday to woo her to the NDA. The JSS (Rajan Babu), which had broken away from Gouri's party, had recently joined the NDA. The BJP is learnt to be using him and her former colleagues to encourage her to make the cross-over.
"I welcome the NDA's invitation," Gouri told the media on Wednesday. She said the CPI(M) had cheated her outright and that she had not felt this hurt even in 1994 when it expelled her. However, she was tight-lipped on her response to the BJP invitation. All that she would say was that her party's State committee would meet in a few days and take a decision.
If Gouriamma joins the NDA, it will be not only a big blow to the communist movement but a new avtaar for one of India's earliest female Communists who has been an icon of courage, leadership and willpower.
