Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM has decided that all constituent parties in the LDF should contest the same seats they held in the previous Assembly election, signalling a status quo approach in the ongoing Kerala seat-sharing talks.

Bilateral discussions with alliance partners are progressing, but key demands raised by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Kerala Congress (M) remain unresolved.

RJD’s demand for additional seats was rejected

The CPM has informed RJD leaders that it is not in a position to allot even one additional seat. The RJD had sought three more constituencies, including one each in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur districts, arguing that its current representation is limited to three seats in the Malabar region.

RJD leaders have also demanded restoration of the seven seats they held when they were part of the UDF. However, CPM sources indicated that the party is firm on retaining the existing seat-sharing arrangement within the LDF.

Kerala Congress (M) seeks Kuttiady or an alternative

Kerala Congress (M), which was allotted 13 seats in the previous election, had to relinquish the Kuttiady seat to the CPM at the last minute. This time, the party has again demanded 13 seats, including Kuttiady or a replacement constituency.

While the CPM has conveyed the practical difficulty of expanding seat allocations, it has not categorically ruled out adjustments. The party leadership said a final decision would be taken after completing discussions with other LDF constituents.

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Uncertainty over the Thiruvananthapuram seat

There is also no clarity regarding the Thiruvananthapuram seat represented by Antony Raju of the Democratic Kerala Congress. Raju, who was disqualified in the evidence tampering case, is reportedly attempting to contest again by securing a stay on his sentence. If that does not materialise, the seat may be reallocated within the alliance.

Meanwhile, Congress (S) will field Ramachandran Kadannappally in Kannur.

Key LDF meetings scheduled

The LDF has scheduled a crucial meeting on Wednesday evening to review the progress of seat-sharing negotiations. Earlier in the day, the CPM State Secretariat and the Communist Party of India (CPI) State Executive Committee will convene.

The CPM State Committee meeting is also slated for Thursday, during which the party’s candidate list is expected to be approved.

The CPI has not yet formally begun candidate selection discussions. However, a preliminary understanding is likely to emerge at the State Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday.

CPI to replace six three-term MLAs

In a significant move, the CPI State Secretariat has decided to replace six sitting MLAs who have completed three consecutive terms, in line with the party’s norm limiting legislators to a maximum of three terms.

Those set to step aside include E Chandrasekharan, E K Vijayan, Chittayam Gopakumar, G S Jayalal, P S Supal and V Sasi.

A final decision will be taken at the CPI State Executive Committee meeting.