Joseph hints at willingness to negotiate with the Congress over seat allotments

Kerala Congress chairperson P.J. Joseph on Monday signalled his willingness to negotiate with the Congress over seat allotments for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Speaking to the media at Thodupuzha in Idukki, Mr. Joseph noted that formal seat-sharing discussions between the Congress and Kerala Congress factions have not yet begun. “The Congress has not yet demanded the Idukki seat for the upcoming election. During negotiations between the two parties, some changes regarding seat-sharing may occur,” said the leader.

Mr. Joseph asserted that his faction retains the right to the 10 seats it contested in the last Assembly election. “Winning all seats remains the primary agenda for both the Kerala Congress and the Congress,” he said. He further claimed that his party is the “original” Kerala Congress party, dismissing the need for bracketed identifiers.

The statement comes amid months of mounting pressure from Congress workers to reclaim the Idukki seat. Local leaders are eager to field a strong candidate against Roshy Augustine, the LDF candidate and leader of Kerala Congress (M). Sources said that the District Congress Committee (DCC) recently sent a formal letter to the KPCC demanding that the seat be returned to Congress.

A senior Congress leader remarked that Mr. Joseph’s comments indicate an awareness of the changing “ground reality” in the constituency. “During the last local body elections, the UDF gained power in nine out of 10 panchayats and the Kattappana municipality by a significant margin. Notably, the Congress holds the presidency in those nine panchayats and the municipal chairmanship in Kattappana,” the leader said.

‘Likely candidates’

The leader argued that fielding a Congress candidate would ensure a UDF victory by a large margin. “The atmosphere is highly favourable for the UDF. If Congress takes over the seat, the party is considering DCC general secretary Bijo Mani, UDF chairperson Joy Vettikuzhi, or even a surprise candidate from outside the constituency,” he added.

Formal negotiations are expected to take place during the Puthuyuga Yathra, a political march led by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, when it arrives in Idukki.