THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second round of seat-sharing talks among the UDF allies remained inconclusive on Thursday with the Congress rejecting the KC(M) demand to allot it three more seats. The AICC is likely to announce the Congress candidates’ list by March 22 after Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran meet the AICC leadership in Delhi on March 19.
Senior Congress leader A. K. Antony has asked the UDF leadership to complete the seat-sharing talks before March 15. Mr Sudheeran told reporters that factionalism would not be allowed in the party. The first meeting of the state election committee will be held on March 16.
Mr Sudheeran has called party meetings on March 15 and 16. On the first day, KPCC office-bearers, former presidents, DCC presidents, ministers, parliamentary party leaders and spokespersons would attend the meeting. “If any leader speaks against the candidature, it would be dealt with seriously,” said Mr Sudheeran.
At the UDF meeting, KC(M) chairman K.M. Mani told the Congress leaders that they can swap Alathur, Thaliparamba and Perambra seats which was rejected. Angamaly would not be given to KC (Jacob). KC (J) leader Anoop Jacob and chairman Johnny Nelloor told reporters that they were disappointed with the talks.
