Thiruvananthapuram, 18 March (HS): Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday announced that seat-sharing talks within the United Democratic Front (UDF) have been completed, with the Indian National Congress set to contest 95 seats in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

Addressing the media, Satheesan said the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will contest 27 seats, while Kerala Congress (Joseph) has been allotted eight seats. He clarified that the delay in formally announcing the arrangement was due to certain pending factors, though discussions had concluded earlier.

As part of the agreement, Kerala Congress (Joseph), which had contested 10 seats in the previous election, agreed to reduce its tally to eight. The party also relinquished its claims over Idukki and Ettumanoor constituencies. In a seat exchange arrangement, Thrikkaripur has been allotted to the Congress, while Kanhangad will be contested by Kerala Congress (Joseph).

The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) will retain the five seats it contested previously. Mattannur has been allocated to the Congress, while Payyannur has been given to the RSP. The UDF will also support Independent candidate V. Kunjikrishnan in Payyannur.

Among other allocations, Anoop Jacob of Kerala Congress (Jacob) will contest from Piravom, while the CMP has been allotted the Thiruvananthapuram seat, a move that has reportedly triggered dissent within sections of the Congress. The Kerala Democratic Party (KDP) will contest from Pala, and the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) from Vadakara.

Meanwhile, P.V. Anvar of the Trinamool Congress will contest from Beypore as a UDF-backed candidate, a decision announced earlier by KPCC president Sunny Joseph.

Satheesan said the Congress will take a final call on remaining Independent candidates after approval from its Central Election Committee, and declined to comment on speculation regarding K. Sudhakaran’s candidature.

UDF finalises seat-sharing, Congress to contest 95 seats in Kerala polls

Thiruvananthapuram, March 18:

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday announced that seat-sharing talks within the United Democratic Front (UDF) have been completed, with the Indian National Congress set to contest 95 seats in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

Addressing the media, Satheesan said the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will contest 27 seats, while Kerala Congress (Joseph) has been allotted eight seats. He clarified that the delay in formally announcing the arrangement was due to certain pending factors, though discussions had concluded earlier.

As part of the agreement, Kerala Congress (Joseph), which had contested 10 seats in the previous election, agreed to reduce its tally to eight. The party also relinquished its claims over Idukki and Ettumanoor constituencies. In a seat exchange arrangement, Thrikkaripur has been allotted to the Congress, while Kanhangad will be contested by Kerala Congress (Joseph).

The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) will retain the five seats it contested previously. Mattannur has been allocated to the Congress, while Payyannur has been given to the RSP. The UDF will also support Independent candidate V. Kunjikrishnan in Payyannur.

Among other allocations, Anoop Jacob of Kerala Congress (Jacob) will contest from Piravom, while the CMP has been allotted the Thiruvananthapuram seat, a move that has reportedly triggered dissent within sections of the Congress. The Kerala Democratic Party (KDP) will contest from Pala, and the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) from Vadakara.

Meanwhile, P.V. Anvar of the Trinamool Congress will contest from Beypore as a UDF-backed candidate, a decision announced earlier by KPCC president Sunny Joseph.

Satheesan said the Congress will take a final call on remaining Independent candidates after approval from its Central Election Committee, and declined to comment on speculation regarding K. Sudhakaran’s candidature.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman