UDF minor partner Kerala Congress (J) sore over seat sharing talks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seat sharing talks by Congress-led UDF in Kerala for the May 16 assembly polls with minor partner Kerala Congress(J) seems to have run into trouble with the party alleging they had been insulted and its leader saying he would not take part in more parleys.

KC-J Chairman Johnny Nellore said he would not attend further seat sharing talks. However, party representative and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoob Jacob would represent the party in the talks, Nellore told reporters here.

He also resigned as Chairman of Oushadhi, a state run Ayurvedic pharmacy.

Nellore had unsuccessfully contested from Angamally in Ernakulam district in 2011,

On reports that Congress refused Angamally seat to KC-J this time, Nellore said "Congress has actually not committed any of the seats to the party. We asked for four seats. This is an insult to our party."

"Piravom, which Anoop Jacob contested and won in 2011 and Angamally is a must seat for us and either two of the seats of Kuttanad, Udumbanchola, Kottarakara and Punalur," he said.

Party cadres were hurt by "media propaganda" that Congress has denied the party the Angamally seat, which he had been "actively nourishing" for the past five years, he said.

Nellore also hoped that Congress would take steps to resolve the issues to carry forward the party with the Front.