The Kerala unit of Janata Dal Secular (JDS) has refused to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Kerala unit of the party rejected the decision, saying it was with the Left Front. After the state committee meeting, JDS state president Mathew T Thomas said that the high command made the announcement without discussion on any party platform. The party has a four-decade old association with the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and this will continue.

HD Deve Gowda-led JDS had joined the NDA in September and decided to form an alliance with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Thomas rejected the national president's announcement, saying the national leadership made the announcement without discussing it on any party platform. The announcement of joining hands with BJP was against the organizational policy. Our Kerala unit is not in favor of this.

The clarification comes days after the Congress criticized the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala for retaining JD(S) as its ally. The opposition Congress had accused the CPI(M) of providing political patronage to the JDS.