Kerala assembly elections: LDF to fast-track seat talks; bilateral talks to follow
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: With the NDA and the UDF moving ahead with finalising candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state, the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has decided to expedite its seat-sharing discussions.
An LDF meeting will be held on Monday, while the CPM state secretariat will meet on Saturday to finalise its stance.
The CPM is learnt to favour a broad understanding that sitting seats should be retained by the respective parties. The leaders indicated that CPM’s candidate selection may take a little more time.
Also read | Kerala Polls: Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Nemom; Sobha, Muraleedharan also in 35-seat BJP probable list
The LDF meeting will mainly assess the progress of the campaign marches, discuss preparations for the manifesto, and take up the broad understandings among constituent parties on seat sharing. A committee comprising representatives of all constituent parties is likely to be formed to draft the manifesto.
The CPM has already begun work on the manifesto, which will also take into account suggestions from its ongoing study congress and the findings of the government’s Nava Kerala survey.
Also read | Kerala Assembly Election 2026: Kochi's divided outlook on next state government
Seat sharing will not be finalised at the front meeting but through bilateral talks after general discussions. Major changes are unlikely in the seat allocations of the CPM and CPI.
There is a demand within the CPM to contest the North Paravur seat, currently held by the Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, but a swap with the CPI appears unlikely. The Kerala Congress (M) has reiterated its claim for the 13 seats allotted last time. This would require the CPM to hand over the Kuttiady Assembly constituency; otherwise, the party would have to concede another seat in Kozhikode district.
Also read | Who will be next Kerala CM? Satheesan, Pinarayi lead in survey; BJP chief preferred over Tharoor
The RJD has sought two additional seats besides its existing three, one each in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur districts.
With Janadhipathya Kerala Congress leader Antony Raju disqualified following his conviction in a cheating case, the CPM may take over his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, with the possibility of offering the party an alternative seat.
LDF seat distribution
The CPM contested 86 seats last time, 75 with official candidates and 11 independents, and won 67, including five independents.
The CPI contested 25 seats and won 17. Kerala Congress (M) was allotted 13 seats but contested in 12, with Kuttiady later taken over by the CPM.
Janata Dal (S) contested four seats, the NCP three, the RJD three, and the INL three, while Janadhipathya Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (B), Congress (S) and RSP (Leninist) contested one seat each.