Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty on Monday held discussions with Kerala Congress (M) leaders K.M. Mani, Jose K. Mani and P.J. Joseph on seat sharing for the coming Lok Sabha elections.
Mr. Kunhalikutty, addressing a press conference here, said he had indeed held discussions with the KC(M) leaders. The meeting was purely informal, he said and urged mediapersons not to read too much into it since official discussions would soon be held under the initiative of the Congress party.
He said the IUML had demanded a third Lok Sabha seat and news reports that his party had given up its claim were baseless.
Seat-sharing talks
Mr. Kunhalikutty arrived here for official seat-sharing talks with the Congress leadership which had been scheduled for Monday. The talks were deferred as senior Congress leaders had to rush to Kasaragod following the murder of two Youth Congress.
Mr. Kunhalikutty’s talks with Mr. Mani and others assume importance since the KC(M) too has demanded an additional seat, either Idukki or Chalakudy. The demand had its roots in the differences between Mr. Mani and Mr. Joseph, who apparently believes that it is his turn to nominate a candidate.
UDF leaders are confident that the KC(M) will not stretch itself beyond a point and the matter could be settled amicably. It is possible that there could be reshuffling of seats, with the KC(M) exchanging Kottayam for Idukki. The winning prospects of such an arrangement too were discussed in the meeting, sources said.
