Seat-sharing: LDF poll-ready
The ruling Left Democratic Front in Kerala on Monday finalised the seat-sharing exercise among its constituents for all 140 assembly segments for the April 13 polls with lead partner CPI(M) getting the lion’s share of 93.
The CPI in 27 seats, CPM leader and LDF convener Vakkom Viswan said. The CPI(M) would support Left independent candidates in 8 seats. The seats to be given to smaller parties are as follows. RSP ( Chavara,
Kunnathur, Iravipuram, Aruvikkara). NCP ( Elathur, Pala, Kuttanad, Kottakkal). Janathadal (Malappuram, Angamaly, Vadakara, Thiruvalla).
INL (Kasargodu, Koothuparambu and Vengara). Kerala Congress (Thiruvananthapuram, Kothamangalam, Kaduthuruthi), Kannur (Congress-S).
On the other hand, the Congress-led UDF is still struggling to seal seat agreements with its allies like Kerala Congress (M) and Socialist Janata (Democratic) which are demanding more seats than the Congress has offered them.
LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan told reporters that out of the 93 seats allocated by the Front to the CPI(M), the party would be fielding independents in eight segments as it did in the 2006 polls. The Front has earmar-ked 27 seats to CPI, five to Janata Dal(S), four each to RSP and NCP, three each to Kerala Congress (Thomas) and Indian National League and one to Congress(S).
The CPI(M) is expected to take a decision on the crucial question whether Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan should be fielded again to lead the LDF at its state committee meeting scheduled for March 16.
In the UDF, KC(M) scaled down from its earlier demand for 22 seats, but still insisted that it should get at least 18 seats.
The Socialist Janata (Democratic) (SJD) led by M.P. Veerendrakumar continued to press for 12 seats, a demand which was unacceptable to the Congress. Congress sources said the talks with the partners were continuing and a settlement was expected in a day or two.
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