 "Win puts Chandy in a strong position")
With the Congress bagging 8 of the 15 seats it contested and the UDF led by it securing victory in 12 seats, the position of Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy’s has become strong.
The Congress-led UDF was able to stay at the top despite anti-incumbency, land grab issue and solar power scam.
Impressive show in the coastal belt and high range districts, the traditional strongholds of the Congress party, made the victory possible.
But given the current scenario, the Congress would not think of an alternative to Chandy as this would endanger the existence of the UDF and the government. It would, therefore, be forced to maintain the status-quo, both in party and the government.
Though Chandy had hinted at a Cabinet reshuffle after the polls, this would make issues more complex. Maintenance of communal balancing in the government and in the party is very crucial in Kerala.
Allies like the Kerala Congress (B) may spring new issues to Chandy and his colleagues over the inclusion of KB Ganshkumar in the cabinet. Since there is a strong rival government at the Centre, parties like the Indian Union Muslim League might be more careful while dealing with the UDF. It is sure there has been a consolidation of Muslim and Christian votes in favour of the UDF. There was a major shift in the voting pattern this time in favour of the BJP in Kerala. The BJP candidates have improved their vote share in all the 20 constituencies. But a strong consolidation of minority votes in favour of the UDF helped them secure 12 seats. This was much obvious in Thiruvananthapuram, where Shashi Tharoor won by a slender margin against BJP nominee O Rajagopal.
Chandy had said the poll outcome would be a test of the performance of the government. The Congress in such a scenario would not change a minority chief minister.
The Congress-led UDF was able to stay at the top despite anti-incumbency, land grab issue and solar power scam.
Impressive show in the coastal belt and high range districts, the traditional strongholds of the Congress party, made the victory possible.
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The Congress high command had appointed VM Sudheeran, an arch rival of Chandy, as KPCC chief rejecting the names suggested by Chandy and home minister Ramesh Chennithala.
But given the current scenario, the Congress would not think of an alternative to Chandy as this would endanger the existence of the UDF and the government. It would, therefore, be forced to maintain the status-quo, both in party and the government.
Though Chandy had hinted at a Cabinet reshuffle after the polls, this would make issues more complex. Maintenance of communal balancing in the government and in the party is very crucial in Kerala.
Allies like the Kerala Congress (B) may spring new issues to Chandy and his colleagues over the inclusion of KB Ganshkumar in the cabinet. Since there is a strong rival government at the Centre, parties like the Indian Union Muslim League might be more careful while dealing with the UDF. It is sure there has been a consolidation of Muslim and Christian votes in favour of the UDF. There was a major shift in the voting pattern this time in favour of the BJP in Kerala. The BJP candidates have improved their vote share in all the 20 constituencies. But a strong consolidation of minority votes in favour of the UDF helped them secure 12 seats. This was much obvious in Thiruvananthapuram, where Shashi Tharoor won by a slender margin against BJP nominee O Rajagopal.
Chandy had said the poll outcome would be a test of the performance of the government. The Congress in such a scenario would not change a minority chief minister.