: With the constituent parties of the coalition all demanding a larger share of seats for the upcoming local body elections, the UDF is in a tight spot as talks for seat sharing for the City Corporation progresses. The Congress party has asked its allies to decide on their sitting seats for now.
The IUML which contested in five wards during last local body polls has asked for 10 wards this time around. The party is expected to ask for all the wards it contested last year including Beemappally, Beemappally East, Vallakkadavu and Puthenpally. But, their record in the last elections will be a cause of concern for the coalition. Except Beemappally, the IUML could not win any other ward last time. Considering the large number of Latin Catholics in this area, the Congress is expected to push for their candidates here. Another headache for the UDF will be to accommodate the RSP, which before merger had contested in six wards last time. It is demanding 14 wards now. RSP sources said they were expecting at least 10 wards, but Congress sources say, it would surely remain less than five. There is also confusion over Pettah ward, RSP’s sitting seat. The Congress has offered the Chakka ward instead of Pettah, but the RSP is keen to let go its sitting seat. The chances of JSS, which holds one ward now, getting a seat this time, are slim. The JSS councillor, who has now moved to Congress, is not contesting. The SJ (D) had contested in seven wards last time and won three. They are asking for seven seats this time too. The Kamaleswaram ward held by JSS might go to SJ (D).
Last time, the UDF had to face the issue of rebel candidates in at least nine wards, out of which it lost eight. So this time, they are cautious. The CMP which won three out of five wards it contested last time has asked for five wards this time too. One of its councillors has moved to the Congress. “We are looking at candidates who belong to the ward,” said a source.
