Indian Socialist Janata Dal
Indian Socialist Janata Dal | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | ISJD |
| President | Mathew T. Thomas |
| Founder | Mathew T. Thomas |
| Founded | 17 January 2026 |
| Split from | Janata Dal (Secular) |
| Ideology | Democratic socialism[1] |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| Colours | Green |
| Alliance | Left Democratic Front |
| Seats in Kerala Legislative Assembly | 2 / 140 |
| Number of states and union territories in government | 1 / 31 |
| Election symbol | |
| Party flag | |
The Indian Socialist Janata Dal (ISJD) is an Indian democratic socialist political party. It was founded by Mathew T. Thomas as a breakaway faction from the Janata Dal (Secular).[2][3]
History
The Indian Socialist Janata Dal was established to resolve the conflict of the Kerala state unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) after its national leadership, led by H. D. Deve Gowda and H. D. Kumaraswamy, formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party led by the National Democratic Alliance, while being allied nationally with the Bharatiya Janata Party while being allied locally with the Left Democratic Front.[4][3]
The Kerala unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) is a part of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) led Left Democratic Front and has opposed the national leadership's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party on ideological grounds such as secularism and socialism. In December 2025, The Indian Socialist Janata Dal was registered with 100 founding members in Palakkad. The ISJD has laid claim for the wheel symbol as its electoral symbol. The symbol has been frozen for years by the Election Commission of India after successive Janata parties laid claim to it.[5][6]
The official merger of the Kerala unit of the Janata Dal Secular to the Indian Socialist Janata Dal was declared on January 17, 2026, in Kochi.[7][8]
Ideology
The ISJD follows democratic socialism and secularism and emphasizes on decentralized power, social justice, and uplifting the marginalized communities. They are inspired by the ideals of Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and aims to maintain its LDF alliance and identity against BJP alignment.[8]
Prominent leaders
- Mathew T. Thomas - Founder, Former minister for Water Resources in Government of Kerala; MLA of Thiruvalla
- K. Krishnankutty - Minister for Electricity of Kerala; MLA of Chittur.
See also
References
- ^ Staff, T. N. M. (1 June 2024). "JD(S) in Kerala denounces party's NDA alliance, says will form new entity". The News Minute.
- ^ "JD(S) to be relaunched as ISJD on January 17". The Hindu. 6 January 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Kerala JD(S): Kerala JD(S) Severs Ties, Merges with New Party". Deccan Herald. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Kerala JD S to sever ties with national leadership merge with new party". The Week. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "With Assembly polls in sight, a political party in Kerala hits reset button". The South First. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "Kerala's JD(S) merges into newly floated Indian Socialist Janata Dal to regain political presence". @mathrubhumi. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Kerala JD(S) to merge with newly formed Indian Socialist Janata Dal". Onmanorama. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Kerala unit of Janata Dal (S) merges with Indian Socialist Janata Dal (ISJD)". The Hindu. 17 January 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 January 2026.