Kerala Assembly elections: LDF election manifesto to be finalised on April 5

Thiruvananthapuram: LDF state committee on Saturday decided to finalise its election manifesto for the forthcoming Assembly elections on April 5 even as it continued to come to grips with the seat sharing exercise.

LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan told mediapersons that the state committee meeting on April 5 would approve the manifesto. "We have already held discussions on the points to be included in the manifesto. It will reflect the aspirations of people,” he said.

Meanwhile, LDF seat sharing exercise is likely to prolong as allies are sticking to their demand for more sets. CPI which has demanded two more seats compared to 27 contested by the party in 2011 Assembly polls, is not ready to part with any of its existing seats.

LDF sources said once CPM-CPI seat sharing is cinched, it would be easier to sort out the demands raised by the smaller partners. But at the moment, there are many other hurdles to be crossed before reaching a consensus on the seats.

Congress (S) Kadanapally Ramachandran who met CPM leadership on Friday had requested for any other winning seat barring Kannur.

JD(S) is insisting on Chittoor, INL has threatened to keep out of contest in three seats if CPM failed to accept party's demand for more seats.

LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan said bilateral talks were on between alliance partners.  He said the front aimed at coming out with a complete list together at the earliest.