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Karunakaran likely to ally with UDF |
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On the other side of the fence, the Indian Union Muslim League has expressed confidence that the Democratic Indira Congress (K) led by former Chief Minister Karunakaran would support the United Democratic Front in the coming Assembly elections. IUML general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty said in Kochi, “We are quite hopeful that the DIC(K) would be with us (UDF) in the coming electoral battle.”
According to Congress sources in Kerala, the party may allot a maximum of 20 seats to the DIC(K). DIC(K) leader K. Murlidharan and the AICC leader, in-charge of Kerala, Veerrappa Moily discussed the issue of seat adjustments at a meeting held last week. Murlidharan has already said that his party would extend support to the UDF candidates in the constituencies where the DIC(K) is not contesting.
Hazy picture in West Bengal
The political alignments in West Bengal for the coming Assembly elections are still not clear . Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is reported to have asked the Congress to decide fast if it wants to join her “Grand Alliance” against the ruling CPI(M) in the state. The Trinamul Congress announced candidates for 201 of the total 294 seats on Monday, March 13. Mamata Banerjee said the other 93 seats are for the Congress, its ally GNLF and the BJP.
The Trinamul Congress chief said that she had indicated to Pradesh Congress president Pranab Mukherjee and AICC general secretary in charge of West Bengal, Margaret Alva, that she is willing to give the Congress 53 seats. This can even be increased to 60 or 70 seats.
She said the Trinamul Congress was really serious about getting the Congress on board. Which is why it has not put up candidates against the Congress MLAs.
“I understand they have political compulsions. But so do we. They cannot leave the UPA and we won’t leave the NDA”, Mamata said. However, sounding a practical note, she said instead of thinking about the UPA or the NDA, the Congress should become part of her grand alliance.
On its part, the CPI(M) is wary of the emerging scenario in the state. The Marxists foresee that the Trinamul Congress, the Congress and the BJP would come together through mihijot (small alliance). They will field weak candidates to ensure victory of anti-Left candidates. Banerjee may leave eight to 10 seats to the BJP, but will not campaign for the saffron party. This strategy would help her in sending out a positive message to the minorities and the Congress. If the BJP refuses to accept these seats, then this will suit both the Congress and the Trinamul Congress, feel West Bengal leaders.
The Marxists are confident that the Congress, Trinamul and the BJP would help each other in some select constituencies. They are also asking why the Congress is not projecting its leader in this poll if it is confident.
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