The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which appeared to have been overtaken by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Sunday (March 15, 2026), sought to finalize seat-sharing. An attempt by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) to steal a march on the UDF by announcing its candidates within hours of the announcement of the Kerala Assembly elections appears to have given the opposition another push to finalize candidates for the April 9 polls.
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala held a closed-door meeting with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leadership at Aluva Palace in Ernakulam. The meeting assumed importance against the backdrop of reports that the IUML was demanding a higher number of seats, including a few in central Kerala, in a bid to expand the party’s political base and also demonstrate its weight in the UDF. Additionally, the IUML was reportedly considering whether to swap seats with the Congress in Thiruvambadi, Pattambi, Kongadu and Kalamassery constituencies.
IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty declined to comment from the meeting whether the party had demanded additional seats. “The discussions were positive and very cordial. There is no major issue. The UDF leadership will meet again on Monday to tie up several kinks,” he said. Mr. Kunhalikutty said he would report the outcome of the discussion to the IUML State Committee, which he said would take the final call.
“No claims made”
Mr. Satheesan said no demand was made by IUML. Mr. Chennithala said that the allocation of UDF seats is in the final stage. He said the other alliance partners are in lockstep with the Congress and there is no room for hatred.
Congress insiders said former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran, MP,’s claim that he would contest the Assembly elections from Kannur has caused a hiccup in the finalization of party candidates before the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headed by Madhusoodhanan Mistry meets next week. In addition, the party faced difficulties in selecting assembly candidates as several leaders jockeyed for seats.
They said the KPCC has submitted 50 names to the CEC, of which at least 30, including those of senior leaders, are likely to be approved in the first wave of AICC discussions starting next week.
Published – 15 March 2026 19:30 IST
