Seat sharing talks on in UDF, LDF and in BJP

Seat sharing talks in both ruling Congress led UDF and CPI-M headed LDF today entered the crucial second phase, even as minor partners continued to put pressure for more share for the May 16 assembly polls.
Congress, the lead partner held bilateral talks with representatives of JD(U), Kerala Congress(M) and Kerala Congress (J).
KC-M leader K M Mani told reporters that the discussions would continue and next round of talks would be on March 21.
KC-M had demanded more seats in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts, the party's strongholds.
JD-U leader George Varghese also said that discussions are on and expectedto complete the process in few days time.

Meanwhile, CWC member A K Antony today said that youth would be given priority while finalising the candidate list.

"Finalising candidate list is the next most important thing in Congress," Antony, who is here to attend a meeting of Congress pradesh committee said.
Answering a question, Antony said the people should judge the performance of the UDF government.
In LDF, talks on seat sharing between CPI-M leaders and JD(S) and NCP continued.
JD(S) said that the talks were not yet over.
LDF expects to finalise its list of candidates and announce it by the end of this week.
The ruling UDF and Opposition LDF and BJP alliances have

already lined up their candidates, though there is some confusion in one or two constituencies.
UDF has focussed on'development initiatives' of the government to retain power, while LDF has attacked UDF over corruption charges, especially related to solar and bar bribery scams and land assignment issues.
Both Fronts are also targetting BJP and had vowed that "communal politics" of the saffron party would not be allowed to bloom in the state.
The BJP, which is hoping to open its account in Kerala, is presenting itself as the 'third alternative' to the two fronts and has accused successive governments of having put impediments in the path of development.

BJP has forged an alliance with Bharat Dharma Jana Sena, a new party formed by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, a social organisation of the backward Ezhava community.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are among the national leaders expected to campaign for NDA candidates in the state, the party sources said.
The UDF government has survived the full five year term though it came to power in 2011 on a wafer thin majority of 72 seats in the 140-member Assembly with LDF getting 68.