Thiruvananthapuram: The KC (M) expressed its displeasure against completing the process over the telephone. Party chief K. M. Mani abstained from today's UDF meeting. Kerala Congress (Jacob) has got a consolation seat in Tarur apart from Piravom, and Congress leaders requested former KC (J) chair Johnny Nellore not to leave the UDF, which he rejected.
Mani’s colleague Joy Abraham, who attended the UDF meeting, conveyed his party’s displeasure in the way in which KPCC leadership went to New Delhi half way through the seat sharing talks and then their efforts to finish bilateral talks over the telephone. KC (M) had asked for an additional seat which was disapproved by the Congress. Currently, KC (M) is contesting in 15 seats. Mr. Abraham has also reportedly expressed his unhappiness over Kottayam DCC president Tomy Kallani’s controversial statement on the selection of the candidate in Poonjar.
The other day Mr. Kallani had stated that he expected to get the Poonjar seat and was sad in losing it. Mr. Abraham said it was not right of the DCC president to claim the seat. UDF convener P. P. Thankachan also expressed his unhappiness over Mr Kallani’s statement and, while talking to reporters, he said the issue had been brought to the notice of KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran.
“If an extra seat was being given to KC (M), Congress feared that Muslim League too would be demanding an additional seat,” said a UDF leader. The final list of UDF allies would be released in a day or two. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would finalise the candidates in the remaining three seats of Kalliasseri, Payyanur and Kanhangad in the Congress quota, reserved for stronger candidates by the AICC.
