Indecision over the choice of occupants of eight slots in the front row has held up the allotment of seats to Lok Sabha members. Speaker Meira Kumar has to reconcile the claims of several formidable members for the prime slots. They include former PM H D Deve Gowda, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and DMK leader T R Baalu, CPM leader Basudeb Acharia and BJD leader Arjun Charan Sethi.

Sources said the understanding is to set aside one front seat for a block of 14 members. This entitles BSP, SP, JD(U), Trinamool Congress, CPM and BJD to one seat each. However, Gowda, who is devoid of the strength of 14 people, has the convention on his side. The LS has a tradition to offer front seats to former PMs. The case of Lalu with only four members is difficult.

Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee, according to sources, has been allotted a place on the same bench as Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Sharad Pawar. Sources said one front seat would be given to DMK.