Kozhikode: As the Congress prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, its UDF coalition partner in Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), will likely demand a third seat. 

In the previous Lok Sabha polls, IUML contested in two seats in Malappuram and Ponnani. However, per the reports, IUML is pushing for a third constituency to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Earlier, several IUML leaders have openly expressed the same demand, placing Congress-led UDF in a conundrum. 

Congress will hold initial talks with its alliance partners later this month, with a meeting with IUML leaders on January 29. IUML state general secretary P.M.A Salam had indicated that the party would hold seat arrangement talks with Congress during the meeting. 

It is also uncertain whether Congress, which contests 16 seats, will be willing to bend to the IUML's demands. If this is the case, the Grand Old Party will have to give up one of its seats in Kasaragod, Kannur, Vadakara, or Wayanad. It is still unclear whether Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad.