The district leadership of the Congress party in Kottayam is actively pushing to reclaim two key assembly constituencies from its ally, the Kerala Congress (Joseph), as the United Democratic Front (UDF) gears up for the upcoming state elections. The seats in question are Ettumanur and Changanassery.
Congress's Push for Key Seats
Although formal seat-sharing negotiations within the UDF have not yet commenced, the Congress district leadership has already conveyed its position informally to the party's state-level leaders. The move underscores the intense internal discussions shaping the coalition's strategy. The Congress local leadership argues that the KC(J) managed to win only two out of the ten seats it contested in the last assembly elections—Thodupuzha and Kaduthuruthy.
Given that every seat is critical for the UDF in its mission to unseat the ruling LDF government, a consensus is emerging within the Congress. The proposed formula involves the Congress taking back Changanassery and Ettumanur, while allowing the KC(J) to contest the remaining eight seats from its previous tally. Congress leaders are particularly focused on fielding a strong candidate in Ettumanur, where they expect to face sitting minister V.N. Vasavan.
Historical Agreement and Compromise Demands
Adding another layer to the dispute, middle-level Congress leaders point to a prior understanding between the two parties. They claim that KC(J) had agreed to return two assembly seats to the Congress after its candidate, Francis George, was given the Kottayam Lok Sabha seat to contest. This historical agreement is now being cited to bolster the Congress's claim.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Congress (Joseph) has staked its claim to all ten seats it contested previously. This sets the stage for potentially tough negotiations. The Congress state leadership, however, has not yet initiated formal talks with KC(J). A significant reason for the delay is the uncertainty surrounding the possible return of the Kerala Congress (Mani) faction to the UDF fold before the elections.
Potential Return of KC(M) Complicates Calculus
The potential re-entry of KC(M) adds a major complication to the seat-sharing matrix. When both KC(M) and KC(J) were part of the UDF, they together contested from 15 seats. Congress leaders indicate that even if KC(M) returns, it should only get the seats it contested last time. In the previous election, KC(M) fought on 12 seats as an ally of the LDF.
The Congress is likely to adopt a firm stance, insisting that any Kerala Congress faction should primarily retain only the seats they actually won. They are expected to demand that these parties show a willingness to compromise on other constituencies to strengthen the overall UDF front against the LDF. The outcome of these behind-the-scenes maneuvers will significantly impact the coalition's unity and electoral prospects in the crucial state polls.
