 "Amid infighting, poll outcome to decide leaders' fate in Kerala")
The level on the political barometer of Kerala is mounting up as the counting of votes is just three days away. The local media, especially visual, is building up the euphoria.
Kerala had a long wait of more than one month this elections.
This time, results of Parliament segments like Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kollam and Vatakara will determine the future course of the state government and of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Latest in the series is the wordly duel between KC Venugopal, Congress candidate in Alappuzha, and Shanimol Usman, former secretary of AICC. Venugopal has alleged Shanimol tried secretly to defeat him.
Shanimol expected the Alappuzha seat this time as allegations were leveled on Venugopal, including his illicit relationship with Sraitha Nair, whose name appeared in the highly controversial solar power scam. She also sought a probe into the matter at one of the Congress executive committee meetings.
However, KPCC chief VM Sudheeran appointed a three-member committee to investigate the move of Shanimol against Venugopal. Shanimol had openly criticised Sudheeran, creating a new row within the Congress party.
Sudheeran had indirectly alleged Shanimol has secret alliances with the liquor mafia of the state. This has made Alaphuzza quite significant for the Congress.
Likewise, there was an open war over the political campaigns in Pathanamthitta and Idukki.
Anto Antony, Congress candidate in Pathanamthitta, had alleged PC George, chief whip of UDF and vice chairman of Kerala Congress, was not active in the campaigning and secretly moved in favour of Philippose Thomas, LDF candidate and former DCC president.
Several Congress leaders in Pathanamthitta district were 'silent' this time and soon after the election, the party suspended one DCC member and an executive committee member.
In the Idukki constituency too, an LDF candidate, who is a close relative of former MLA and DCC president EM Augusty, was suspended. Lower poll percentage in Thodupuzha Assembly segment represented by PJ Joseph, Kerala Congress minister, will also be scrutinised thoroughly once the result is announced.
In T'puram, Congress candidate Shashi Tharoor's position had turned weak. The BJP has high hopes here, where O Rajagopal is the candidate. Political circles are expecting a division of votes of the Nair community here as a major chunk had cast in favour of the BJP candidate. The LDF too has high expectations as there was a consolidation of the Nadar community votes in favour of Bennet Abraham, who belongs to this community.
The outcome of Palakkad constituency attains importance to the CPI (M) as there was a rift in the party between MB Rajesh and its district committee member NN Krishnadas over the issue of railway coach factory.
The party is likely to take disciplinary action against Krishnadas for his statements against Rajesh. The party district committee rejected the explanations submitted by Krishnadas, who is known for his closeness with the opposition leader VS Achuthanandan.
The outcome of Idukki and Pathanamthitta constituencies will define the scope of the Kerala Congress to continue with the Front. If the Congress candidates are defeated in these segments, it is likely that the UDF will disintegrate due to faction pressure.
Also, the issue of Mullaperiyar dam and a ban on 418 bars in the state are the other burning issues that has created problems for the Oommen Chandy ministry. The KPCC president and the government have differed over the issue of bars.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has already started preparations to raise the water level in the dam to 142 feet according to the recent apex court order. The Kerala government is in the dark on what to do next.
Kerala had a long wait of more than one month this elections.
This time, results of Parliament segments like Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kollam and Vatakara will determine the future course of the state government and of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
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The row over the campaigning in these constituencies was evident soon after the elections. Leaders of the Congress and from the constituent parties in the UDF had already kicked off an open fight.
Latest in the series is the wordly duel between KC Venugopal, Congress candidate in Alappuzha, and Shanimol Usman, former secretary of AICC. Venugopal has alleged Shanimol tried secretly to defeat him.
Shanimol expected the Alappuzha seat this time as allegations were leveled on Venugopal, including his illicit relationship with Sraitha Nair, whose name appeared in the highly controversial solar power scam. She also sought a probe into the matter at one of the Congress executive committee meetings.
However, KPCC chief VM Sudheeran appointed a three-member committee to investigate the move of Shanimol against Venugopal. Shanimol had openly criticised Sudheeran, creating a new row within the Congress party.
Sudheeran had indirectly alleged Shanimol has secret alliances with the liquor mafia of the state. This has made Alaphuzza quite significant for the Congress.
Likewise, there was an open war over the political campaigns in Pathanamthitta and Idukki.
Anto Antony, Congress candidate in Pathanamthitta, had alleged PC George, chief whip of UDF and vice chairman of Kerala Congress, was not active in the campaigning and secretly moved in favour of Philippose Thomas, LDF candidate and former DCC president.
Several Congress leaders in Pathanamthitta district were 'silent' this time and soon after the election, the party suspended one DCC member and an executive committee member.
In the Idukki constituency too, an LDF candidate, who is a close relative of former MLA and DCC president EM Augusty, was suspended. Lower poll percentage in Thodupuzha Assembly segment represented by PJ Joseph, Kerala Congress minister, will also be scrutinised thoroughly once the result is announced.
In T'puram, Congress candidate Shashi Tharoor's position had turned weak. The BJP has high hopes here, where O Rajagopal is the candidate. Political circles are expecting a division of votes of the Nair community here as a major chunk had cast in favour of the BJP candidate. The LDF too has high expectations as there was a consolidation of the Nadar community votes in favour of Bennet Abraham, who belongs to this community.
The outcome of Palakkad constituency attains importance to the CPI (M) as there was a rift in the party between MB Rajesh and its district committee member NN Krishnadas over the issue of railway coach factory.
The party is likely to take disciplinary action against Krishnadas for his statements against Rajesh. The party district committee rejected the explanations submitted by Krishnadas, who is known for his closeness with the opposition leader VS Achuthanandan.
The outcome of Idukki and Pathanamthitta constituencies will define the scope of the Kerala Congress to continue with the Front. If the Congress candidates are defeated in these segments, it is likely that the UDF will disintegrate due to faction pressure.
Also, the issue of Mullaperiyar dam and a ban on 418 bars in the state are the other burning issues that has created problems for the Oommen Chandy ministry. The KPCC president and the government have differed over the issue of bars.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has already started preparations to raise the water level in the dam to 142 feet according to the recent apex court order. The Kerala government is in the dark on what to do next.