Despite waning popularity, Kerala Congress (M) demands four seats in Lok Sabha polls

KOTTAYAM: This will be the first Lok Sabha election for Kerala Congress(M) after joining hands with LDF in one iconic volte-face. However, the leaders are spirited and are looking ahead for assurance from LDF to give the party more seats to compete. The decision in this regard was taken in the High Power Committee of the Kerala Congress held in Kottayam.

In addition to holding tight with the sitting seat in Kottayam, the party will also try to secure three more seats in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Chalakudy, and Vadakara. Albeit this hope, the insider story tells that the LDF won't entertain such demands, mainly because of the waning popularity of Kerala Congress M which was palpable in the Puthuppally elections.

In 2021, just before the elections, Kerala Congress M jumped ship and decided to align their politics with LDF. The move wreaked havoc on the UDF and was chiefly decisive for the decline in votes for then-UDF leader Oommen Chandy.

Ayarkunnam and Akalakunnam panchayats are Kerala Congress M bastion. During the 2021 elections, Oommen Chandy was trailing in these panchayats and it was unprecedented. All credit for the erstwhile leader’s downfall came to Kerala Congress M’s decision to align with LDF. However, leaders expecting a similar trend in the 2023 by-election were left flustered. Chandy Oommen got a majority of 4151 votes from these panchayats which indicated the losing clout of the Kerala Congress M in their own home turf.

Compared to the 2021 elections, the UDF lost 1304 votes while the Left lost 1029 votes. UDF's rise in LDF bastions and severe vote leakage may backfire on Kerala Congress M's decision to seek more seats.