Thiruvananthapuram: The bilateral talks between CPM and allies at the AKG Centre here on Tuesday, failed to make any headway on seat sharing formula.
LDF allies JD(S), NCP and INL have come up with the demand for more seats compared to what they had been allotted in 2011. Apart from five seats contested in last Assembly elections, the JD(S) has demanded one more.
A delegation led by Mathew T Thomas, MLA told CPM leaders that since K Krishnankutty had joined the party, Chitoor which is considered his stronghold should be allotted to JD(S) this time. It also demanded swapping of Malappuram with Kalpetta. The JD(S) candidate had lost to Muslim League here by over 44,000 votes in 2011.
However, CPM leadership pointed out that allotment of additional seat would not be possible this time. It assured to consider the demand for swapping Malappuram with Chitoor.
“We had already demanded increase in seats. Talks are continuing since there is no agreement yet. Our party will have a couple of more rounds of talks before the LDF meeting which is scheduled for March 19,” said Mathew T Thomas.
Another LDF ally, the NCP which contested four seats last time has demanded three more. CPM leadership has refused to consider anything more than the sitting seats for the moment. Indian National League demanded five seats during the bilateral taoks. CPM’s unilateral decision to take Koothuparamba which was allotted to INL in 2011, is the bone of contention between the two parties.
With the CPM refusing to accept the demands of allies for more seats, their demands would be placed before the LDF state committee meeting. Meanwhile, CPM state secretariat which is meeting on Wednesday, will also discuss the demands placed by allies.
The crucial bilateral talks with the CPI, number two in LDF, will take place on Wednesday. LDF is hopeful of finalising the list of candidates by the end of this week.
