Congress pushes for bigger share in UDF seat negotiations

As seat-sharing talks stitchery momentum wrong the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Congress-led confederation appears headed for a tense signifier of negotiations with the P.J. Joseph-led Kerala Congress, peculiarly implicit constituencies successful Central Travancore — a portion that has progressively go the coalition’s astir delicate governmental balancing act.

Congress leaders from the portion person already begun positioning themselves for tickets successful Changanassery and Ettumanur, some presently held by the Left Democratic Front (LDF). As the ascendant spouse successful the UDF, the Congress is besides signalling its intent to involvement assertion to Idukki and Kuttanad.

A elder Congress person said the party’s territory enactment successful Kottayam and Idukki has recommended reclaiming respective seats presently contested by the Kerala Congress. “From Kaduthuruthy to Thiruvalla, the Kerala Congress contests astir each spot but Kottayam, which lies on Main Central [MC] Road. Even then, they won lone a mates of seats past time. There is simply a increasing sentiment wrong the enactment that this imbalance needs correction,” the person said.

The Congress enactment believes the governmental crushed has shifted successful its favour, citing what it views arsenic accrued goodwill from the Catholic Church. Leaders reason that this changing equation places added unit connected the Kerala Congress to amusement greater flexibility during negotiations.

The conflict for Changanassery and Ettumanur has already begun to pull involvement from elder Congress figures. Joseph Vazhakkan and K.C. Joseph are reportedly keen connected Changanassery, portion Kottayam District Congress Committee president Nattakam Suresh is eyeing Ettumanur. In Idukki, the Congress sees a renewed opening pursuing the exit of Kerala Congress person K. Francis George, who unsuccessfully contested the spot successful the past Assembly predetermination but moved to the Lok Sabha aft his 2024 victory, leaving the constituency unfastened for caller bargaining.

While the Congress is said to beryllium pressing for arsenic galore arsenic 4 seats successful a azygous circular of negotiations, enactment leaders stay cautiously optimistic that the Kerala Congress whitethorn yet portion with astatine slightest a mates aft prolonged talks.

For now, however, the Kerala Congress has drawn steadfast reddish lines. Party leaders Mons Joseph, MLA and moving president P.C. Thomas person made it wide that the enactment intends to contention each 10 seats presently allotted to it. “Last time, we contested 10 seats. We are not asking for more, but we volition not springiness up those 10. Candidates for each of them person much oregon little been identified,” a elder Kerala Congress person said.