KC (M) likely to contest 17 seats

The Kerala Congess (Mani) group is likely to contest 17 seats in the coming assembly election, senior party leaders said on Monday. In the last election, the party had contested 11 seats and won nine.

"This time we will demand more seats to show our strength in the northern part of the state. All our sitting MLAs will contest," revenue minister and party leader K M Mani told PTI in Kottayam.

The party will seek to enhance its position in Kollam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta and Wayanad, especially where farmers have strong presence. A decision about it will be taken at the party secretariat on March 12 in Kottayam.

A clear picture will emerge by then after the UDF liasion committee meeting on March 8.

Mani and party leader C F Thomas earlier said the chances of the United Democratic Front retaining power were bright. The KC (M) could demand more seats as the Kerala Congress (Jacob) was not in the election arena, they said.