Assembly polls: seat sharing talks limping

Thiruvananthapuram: Seat sharing talks were limping both in the United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front on Tuesday.  Talks in NDA also did not progress much

The CPI (M) said a no to demands from minor constituents of the LDF for more seats than they contested in the last elections.  The INL is demanding five seats in place of three last time.  The NCP wants seven seats. The JD (S) is demanding six seats including Chittoor in place of five seats contested by it in the last elections.

The CPI (M) has refused to spare Chittoor and talks will continue tomorrow.  The party is also not in agreement with INL’s demand for Koothuparamba.

In the UDF, talks between Congress and Kerala Congress (Mani) did not yield any results. Mr. Mani opposed Congress move to take over seats contested last time by those who had left the UDF.  There was agreement on seven seats for JD (U), but none on specifics of constituencies. 

The Muslim League has taken the stand that there was no question of its withdrawing candidate announced for Manathawadi in view of protest by settlers, but exchange of remaining seats could be discussed.

Former Defence Minister A. K. Antony told the media that the Congress  was choosing its candidates in a democratic manner. The party was trying to bring in new faces and young candidates.

Talks took place between BJP and the newly formed BDJS on Tuesday. While the BJP was willing to spare 30 seats, the BDJS wanted 40. Discussions also took place with Kerala Congress led by P. C. Thomas.