Date:02/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/02/stories/2005090207960300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Polls: UDF, LDF finalising allocation of seats

Staff Reporter

Selection to be completed by September 4

UDF forms panel headed by C. R. Jayaprakash
Coalition partners insisting on same number of seats as last time

LDF likely to form panels within two days

ALAPPUZHA: Inner coalition discussions are progressing in both the UDF and LDF in the district regarding the allocation of seats to various coalition partners in the forthcoming elections to the local bodies.

The seat allocation and selection of candidates are likely to be completed by September 4.

The UDF has formed a district level election committee headed by DCC president C.R. Jayaprakash and has set up another one to coordinate the campaigns in the 12 block panchayats in Alappuzha. The UDF has also formed five campaign committees for the five municipalities here.

DCC general secretary K.N. Syed Muhammed heads the Cherthala election committee, Minister for Tourism K.C. Venugopal heads the committee for the Alappuzha municipality, M.M. Hassan, MLA, heads the committee for the Kayamkulam municipality, M. Murali, MLA, is in charge of the committee for the Mavelikkara municipality and DCC secretary Abey Kuriakkose heads the committee for Chengannur municipality.

The LDF is likely to form the election committees at the panchayat levels within two days. The seat allocation discussions between the LDF and the

Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) leaders are also on.

The various minor coalition partners of the LDF are learned to have insisted that they be given the same number of seats as in the previous local body election.