Kerala Congress (M) sticks to its demand for 22 seats

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 9: Ahead of the crucial seat sharing talks between Congress and Kerala Congress (M), one of the key partner in UDF, for the Apr 13 assembly polls, the latter today (Mar 9) said their demand for 22 seats was justifiable.

Considering the ''strength'' of the party and merger of Kerala Congress factions led by P J Joseph and P C George, the demand for 22 seats was justifiable, KC-M leader KM Mani told a meet the press programme here.

The party contested 18 seats- Eleven by KC-M, six by Joseph and one by George factions respectively-- during 2006 polls, Mani said. Besides that, the party also wanted four seats in Malabar region where the party had gained strength, he said.

He expressed confidence that partners in UDF would be able to settle seat sharing issues amicably.

Indifference to the needs of people, corruption and complete breakdown of administration due to lack of co-ordination between Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and his cabinet coleagues were the hallmark of LDF rule, he said.

PTI