Though the seat-sharing talks within the United Democratic Front (UDF) are yet to gather steam ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Kerala Congress (M) has staked claim to two seats in Central Kerala -- Kottayam and Idukki.
In a meeting of the UDF liaison committee last week, the K.M.Mani-led outfit staked its claim to the two seats.
“The demand was raised during the meeting and top leaders of the Congress are favourably disposed towards it. In all likelihood, we will be contesting from these two seats,” said Jose K. Mani, MP and vice chairman of the party, here on Monday.
The KC(M), however, is no way open to any proposal for a seat-swapping formula for Kottayam and is counting on its mass support base to prove its relevance there.
“The party chairman [K.M. Mani] has asserted our position on this time and again. There is no question of giving up the seat for any other seats,” he asserted.
His remark assumes significance amidst reports that the Congress is pushing hard to field senior leaders there.
List of probables
Meanwhile, speculations are rife about the KC(M)’s list of probables for the Kottayam seat, which also include a woman candidate and a sitting MLA.
The party leadership, however, maintains that the final list of candidates would be decided on completion of its upcoming State-wide rally in Thiruvananthapuram on February 15.
To be launched by KC(M) vice chairman P. J. Joseph, the rally is slated to begin from Kasaragod on January 24. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate a public meeting to be presided over by Mr. Mani. The rally, which will focus on the anti-farmer policies of the Union and State governments, will be accorded reception at 100 centres.
