Kozhikode (Kerala) | IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty on Saturday said discussions among Congress leaders over the chief ministerial candidate were not a matter of concern for his party.
Speaking to reporters after the IUML’s election evaluation meeting here, Kunhalikutty said the party leadership had already clarified its stand that the chief ministerial candidate would be decided only after the Assembly election results are announced on May 4.
“We have not taken the discussions seriously. Such discussions happen in Kerala. During the election, there were discussions in the LDF after some leaders quit the front. After the election, naturally they cannot discuss it,” he said.
He said such discussions were normal, but the IUML was clear about its position.
“The UDF has a method of choosing the Chief Minister after the election result is announced. As per that method, since the Congress is the principal ally, the Chief Minister will be from the Congress. But Congress leadership will discuss the matter with alliance partners. It is not the first time we are going to form a government in Kerala,” he said.
Kunhalikutty said public sentiment would also be taken into consideration while selecting the chief ministerial candidate.
“The ally parties will present their opinion when the discussion is held with the Congress after the election result is announced,” he said.
Claiming that there was a pro-UDF trend in the state during the election, he said the front could win up to 100 of the 140 Assembly seats.
He also said the UDF would raise its seat numbers across all districts, but declined to give a specific projection for either the front or the IUML.
The election for 140 assembly seats was held on April 9.
