Thiruvananthapuram, 04 March (H.S.): Amid intensifying discussions over seat-sharing ahead of the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) will hold a crucial meeting today to finalise key decisions related to constituency allocation and candidate selection. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the coalition’s electoral strategy.

Sources within the front indicate that the primary objective of the meeting is to expedite the seat-sharing arrangement among LDF allies so that the coalition can move forward with the announcement of candidates. Negotiations between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and its allies have reached a critical stage, particularly with regard to the demands of Kerala Congress (M). The party has reportedly insisted on being allotted 13 Assembly constituencies, while the CPM leadership has indicated that it is prepared to offer only 12 seats. The issue is likely to be discussed in detail during the meeting.

Parallel to the LDF discussions, the CPM state secretariat will also meet today to finalise its list of candidates for the Assembly elections. Several key decisions regarding constituency changes and new nominees are expected to emerge from the meeting.

In Kannur district, the CPM district secretariat meeting held yesterday decided to field former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja from Peravoor instead of her current constituency of Mattannur. The move is seen as part of the party’s broader strategy to strengthen its prospects in constituencies where the contest is expected to be intense.

The meeting also indicated that Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer may not be renominated from his current seat this time. Instead, the district leadership has proposed the name of Karayi Rajan as the party’s candidate from Thalassery. The state leadership is expected to review and take a final decision on this recommendation during the secretariat meeting.

Another notable proposal from the Kannur district leadership is to field P.K. Shyamala, the wife of CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan, as the candidate from Taliparamba. This proposal too will come up for discussion at the state secretariat meeting.

Meanwhile, three CPM district committees have recommended that party state secretariat member M. Swaraj be fielded as a candidate in the upcoming elections. The party leadership is expected to take a final call on Swaraj’s candidature during the meeting.

At the same time, the Communist Party of India (CPI), another key LDF ally, is also expected to hold a leadership meeting today to decide whether to field new faces in several constituencies. The party had earlier decided to renominate its four sitting ministers. However, there was also a broad understanding within the party to replace legislators who have served three consecutive terms and provide opportunities to new candidates. As a result, senior leaders such as P.S. Supal and G.S. Jayalal are unlikely to receive party tickets this time.

With the election schedule expected to be announced soon, the LDF leadership is under pressure to quickly resolve internal negotiations and present a united front before entering the campaign phase.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman