THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the nomination date draws near, the LDF and the UDF have not been able to reach an agreement in their respective seat-sharing talks. Although the CPM-CPI bilateral talks took place before and after the Left Front meeting yesterday, the dispute was not resolved. The CPI is of the view that a seat should be given in Kottayam district instead of Kanjirapally. The CPI is intensifying its demand for Changanassery. However, the CPM wants to give Changanassery to the Kerala Congress(M). The CPI leadership has informed the CPM that if the issue was not resolved, it would be forced to reconsider its decision to give up Kanjirapally and Irikkur. The matter is scheduled to be discussed in the state executive tomorrow. At the same time, the CPM is trying to solve the problem today.
Three seats not enough for Lok Tantric Dal
Meanwhile, the frontline leaders of the Lok Tantric Janata Dal did not attend the Left Front meeting yesterday to protest against the allocation of only three seats. The party's national secretary-general Varghese George, who attended the meeting, demanded a seat in the Thiruvananthapuram - Kochi region. The party is eyeing Aroor or Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district. The LJD was given three seats, including two from the CPM and one from the JDS - Koothuparamba, Kalpetta and Vadakara.
13 seats for Kerala Congress (M)
Smaller parties are complaining about giving too much consideration to the Kerala Congress-M. The CPM has agreed to give 13 seats to Jose K Mani. Ranni, Pala, Kaduthuruthy, Poonjar, Kanjirapally, Idukki, Thodupuzha, Piravom, Perumbavoor, Chalakudy, Kuttyadi and Irikkur seats have been assured for them.
Seats for other parties in LDF
Kovalam, Thiruvalla, Angamaly, Chittoor- JDS
Kuttanad, Elathur, Kottayam - NCP
Kasargod, Vallikkunnu, Kozhikode South - INL
Pathanapuram - Kerala Congress (B)
Kannur - Congress(S)
In UDF
An agreement should be reached regarding the two seats allotted to the Muslim League in addition to Koothuparamba and the tenth seat of the Kerala Congress-Joseph faction. Perambra may be given to the League. Joseph should find a seat instead of Perambra. Though League has demanded Pattambi, Congress seem disinterested. The Congress leaders left for Delhi yesterday with a list of possible candidates. Allies have been told that the final decision will be announced after discussions there.