Aware of the possibility that the emerging rapprochement between the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam and the Nair Service Society (NSS) could trigger a wider consolidation of Hindu votes, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) appears to have strategically scaled back its long-standing demand for a larger seat share in the upcoming UDF-led Congress (UDF United Democratl Assembly).
Acknowledging that the polarization led by these two influential community organizations could threaten its collective prospects, the party leadership is instead focusing on a pragmatic exchange of assembly constituencies with UDF allies, including the Congress.
This seat-swapping strategy targets specific areas where both the IUML and the Congress have faced consecutive electoral setbacks to field candidates better suited to the changing demographic and social realities of these regions, party sources told The Hindu.
In the 2021 elections, the IUML was allotted 27 seats but contested only 25, ceding two to independents as part of alliance adjustments. Winning 15 seats marked a relatively high success rate for the party – a feat it claimed, along with its performance in the recently held three-tier local polls, strengthened its claim for a larger share of seats in the coalition.
While the IUML is suppressing the push for further seat allocation, it instead favors “winning” through the exchange of a limited number of constituencies.
The electoral viability of the constituencies was analyzed during preliminary talks between the Congress and the IUML earlier this week. As part of the proposed swap, IUML is willing to give up places like Punalur, Kalamassery, Kongad and Thiruvambady and seek segments including Kochi, Thavanur, Eravipuram and Pattambi in return.
The League appears to be using this calibrated strategy to expand its footprint in the State Assembly and subsequently strengthen its bargaining power within the UDF should the alliance return to power.
IUML state general secretary PMA Salam said the number of seats and specific constituencies in which the League will fight will be decided after detailed discussions with the Congress. “Only preliminary talks have taken place so far. The next round of talks will take place in the coming days,” Salam said.
“When it comes to changing seats, the main factor will be win rate. Seats will be changed accordingly,” he added.
According to party sources, the deliberate shift is also aimed at managing the perception that the League is gaining disproportionate political space within the coalition. It is further fueled by adjustments at the alliance level as several newly inducted members of the UDF are expected to field candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, largely from the Congress quota.
Published – 23 Jan 2026 19:50 IST
