THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hard bargaining has started among UDF allies for the Lok Sabha seats. The KC(M) has insisted on two seats, Idukki and Kottayam, as Mr P.J. Joseph wants to launch his son Appu John Joseph from Idukki.
A meeting of the UDF held at Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala's official residence here on Thursday rejected the request made by Kerala Janapaksham leader P. C. George to re-enter the UDF.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress had contested 15 seats, Muslim League two, KC (M), RSP and the then JD(U) one seat each. The JD(U) has since then become Loktantric Janata Dal and joined the LDF. A senior Congress leader told DC that Mr P. J. Joseph demanded the Idukki seat which is currently held by the Congress. "In that case, there will be seat swapping between KC (M) and Congress in Idukki and Kottayam. Former Aranmula MLA K. Sivadasan Nair of the Congress is eyeing the Pathanamthitta seat and he may be an ideal candidate due to the Sabarimala issue. Sitting MP Anto Antony may move to Kottayam," the Congress leader said.
Mr Joseph and Mr Jose K. Mani, who represented the KC(M) at the meeting, said that they were firm in their demand for one more seat. KC (J) chairman Johnny Nellore also wanted the Idukki seat.
The Muslim League has not insisted on more seats and said there was still time to discuss the issue.
The meeting formed a sub-committee headed by UDF convener Benny Behanan and Dr. M. K. Muneer, Mr N. K. Premachandran, Mr Joy Abraham and Mr Johnny Nellore as members to bring back a few former loyalists of Mr Veerendra Kumar.
"P. C. George had given a letter seeking re-entry into the UDF. We decided not to consider his request," a UDF leader told DC.
Mr Chennithala maintained that the prevailing political condition was favourable to the UDF.
