TRIVANDRUM, 8 March 2006 — Seat sharing talks among the partners of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) for the assembly elections hit a roadblock yesterday, as the allies strongly objected to the poaching of seats by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM).
The main reason for the stalemate was the CPM demand for 95 seats, while the party had contested 77 seats in May 2001. The seven other allies of the LDF opposed the demand.
However, LDF leaders said discussions would continue to find a seat sharing formula.
“The talks would continue and we are certain that by March 18 we would be able to finalize the seat sharing,” LDF Convener Mohammed Kutty told reporters after the meeting of the allies.
“We are confident that we would be able to finish the seat sharing talks with no problem at all and our only aim is to see that the victory of the LDF is achieved,” said Kutty.
The CPM’s politburo is meeting on Friday and the central committee on the following two days to discuss the number of seats they would contest.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly will be held in three phases on April 22, 29 and May 3. — Additional input from IANS.
