Despite efforts by the United Democratic Front (UDF) to project unity and regain its foothold in Kottayam, seat-sharing talks within the Congress-led coalition have hit a sudden snag as the Kerala Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) stand firm on their demands for more seats.
The Congress ward leadership during the initial phase of the coalition talks informed (Joseph’s faction) that his allotment of ward panchayat divisions would be reduced this time. However, the regional party remains adamant in its demand to maintain the same number of divisions as in previous elections. Adding to the headaches of the Congress this time, the Muslim League has also expressed interest in contesting the district panchayat seat.
In the 2020 elections, out of the 22 panchayat divisions, the Congress contested 14, while the Kerala Congress fielded candidates in eight. After delimitation, the number of divisions increased to 23 with the addition of Thalanadu division. The Congress leadership believes that the Kerala Congress (Joseph’s faction) has lost its strength in the district and has sought to secure victory in several seats. As a result, there is a growing demand within the Congress to reclaim at least four divisions from the Kerala Congress.
“Of the eight divisions allotted to them in the previous elections, they managed to win only two. If the same allocation is repeated, it will be difficult for us to secure control over the district panchayat,” said a senior Congress official.
Meanwhile, Kerala Congress leaders asserted their right to retain all the eight seats they contested last time. The faction has already bet on nine seats, but is reportedly willing to deal with up to eight. They also asked to change Velloor seat to Thalayazham. However, Congress rejected this proposal.
“We were allotted nine seats in the previous elections, but the Congress took the seat from Vaikom at the last minute. We cannot agree to any such adjustments this time,” said a senior Kerala Congress leader.
The Muslim League has claimed the Mundakayam seat citing an assurance allegedly given by the Congress during the previous elections that the seat would be allotted to them this time. However, the Congress considers Mundakayam a strategically important division as it is the only general seat in the eastern region, while all others are reserved for women or scheduled caste candidates. In this context, it is now likely that IUML will claim the Erumeli seat instead.
However, the Congress leadership is also wary that the allotment of the IUML seat for the first time in the eastern region could have an impact on Catholic voters.
Congress-IUML meeting
The Congress has scheduled a meeting with the Muslim League on Sunday and the Kerala Congress on November 10. The UDF leadership aims to complete all seat-sharing discussions at the grama panchayat and municipality levels by November 10 before it moves to the block panchayat level.
Meanwhile, within the LDF, the Kerala Congress (M) remains steadfast in its demand for ten district panchayat seats. In the previous elections, both the CPI(M) and the KC(M) contested nine seats each, while the CPI fielded candidates in four.
The regional party also insists that all its candidates contest under its own “Two Leaves” symbol. According to KC(M) sources, it is not for the CPI(M) proposal to field a joint independent candidate for one seat.
At the same time, the CPI did not agree to the Kerala Congress (M) demand for a mutual exchange of one seat. If disputes remain unresolved at the district level, they are expected to be heard at the state level for final resolution.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 20:03 IST
