Additional seats pressure strategy of Muslim League; Target,  strong seats of Congress

MALAPPURAM: There are indications that the Muslim League's demand for additional seats in the assembly elections is a pressure tactic to swap seats with the Congress. The stance is that losing seats should be replaced with seats with potential for victory.

The League is eyeing the Congress's Pattambi, Kannur, Tavanur, Kalpetta and Koyilandy seats. The proposal is that the League's Kongad, Guruvayur, Punalur, Koothuparamba and Azhikode seats can be given to the Congress instead. Although the Congress has rejected the League's demand to exchange the Kannur, Pattambi and Kalpetta constituencies, the League has not given up hope. The League's claim is based on its good performance in the local body elections. The League is the third party to win the most seats.

The League, which contested 27 assembly seats in 2021, had won 15 seats. It won 11 in Malappuram district, two in Kasaragod, and one seat each in Kozhikode and Palakkad districts. This time, the goal is to win no less than 20 seats. Although the League is eager to contest 30 seats by asking for three more seats, it is concerned that the claim will backfire on the front. Therefore, it will not move towards stubbornness. The Congress is worried about the possibility of the League demanding the post of Deputy Chief Minister by highlighting its membership strength and the injury it suffered earlier on the issue of the fifth minister.

League cannot be angered

• In the last election, the Congress could win only six out of the 60 seats contested in 30 of the six districts of Malabar. The League contested in 23 seats and won 15 seats. The UDF has a total of only 21 constituencies.
• This time, the UDF is targeting 38-40 seats from Malabar. The Congress, which is counting on winning at least 15 seats, needs the League's strong support.
• There is concern that the League will change its mind if the Congress's position in the elections deteriorates. The Left's campaign to create a new district with Tirur as its headquarters is an indication that this possibility is being considered.