: Speculation about the possibility of the Congress-led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) fielding K. Sulekha, wife of former Speaker G. Karthikeyan, who died on march 7, in the Aryvikkara seat that her husband represented in the Assembly gained greater credence with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala calling on her on Tuesday morning.
Mr. Sudheeran denied any political significance in the meeting, but admitted that some 'preliminary discussions' had taken place on the by-election to be held at Aruvikkara. He, the Chief Minister and Mr. Chennithala had called on Ms. Sulekha only because they could not attend the post-funeral rituals at their home, he claimed.
The three leaders visited the former Speaker's home after a meeting at the KPCC headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
Mr. Sudheeran said Mr. Chandy had been told to hold talks with UDF partners on sharing of the three Rajya Sabha seats for which elections are to be held on April 16.
The ruling alliance has 73 seats in the 140-member House and can theoretically win two of the three seats. The Opposition has 65 seats and hopes to get the vote of the unattached Kerala Congress (B) member K.B. Ganesh Kumar. It could be a close call if there is some turbulence in the ruling alliance.
