Kerala Congress factions gear up as buzz over UDF return intensifies

Even as speculation intensifies over a possible return of the Kerala Congress (M) to the United Democratic Front (UDF), rival factions of the regional party are preparing to move their pieces, with both camps set to kick off election-mode deliberations from next week.

The first signal will come from the Kerala Congress (M), which is convening an emergency steering committee meeting in Kottayam on January 16. Officially billed as a review of the party’s performance in the recent local body elections, party insiders say the meeting will double up as a curtain-raiser for the Assembly polls with seat calculations and political positioning firmly on the agenda.

Seat sharing within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to dominate discussions. A senior leader acknowledged that the party’s internal mood favours contesting 13 seats, one more than the 12 it fought last time. “A preliminary sense will also be taken on who should contest, including sitting MLAs,” the leader said, signalling that no seat is entirely off the table.

But even as whispers of a UDF return refuse to die down, party sources were quick to play them down. “There is no denying that a section of the cadre favours rejoining the Congress-led front. But there are no circumstances at present for such a move,” a senior leader said, adding that party chairperson Jose K. Mani is expected to offer clarity after the meeting.

The P.J. Joseph-led Kerala Congress faction, meanwhile, is set to formally roll out its campaign with a meeting to felicitate leaders who won in the local body polls. This will be followed by bilateral talks with the Congress on seat sharing, alongside internal consultations on candidate selection.

While Apu John Joseph, son of party chairperson Mr. Joseph, was earlier seen as a potential candidate for Thodupuzha, Mr. Joseph has reportedly made it clear that he intends to contest once again from the constituency. “The leadership has not yet discussed candidates. Questions about the candidature of a sitting MLA are irrelevant,” a party leader said.

Seat negotiations within the UDF promise to be no less fraught. Though the Kerala Congress leadership is keen on holding on to all of its 10 seats, speculation is rife that the Congress is pushing hard for Kuttanad this time. Congress leaders are also said to be eyeing Idukki and either Ettumanur or Changanassery, arguing that the party has better winning prospects in these constituencies. While conceding three seats appears unlikely, the Kerala Congress may be forced to part with at least one.

Adding to the pressure, the Congress has raised ‘paid seat’ allegations in Kuttanad, accusing the Kerala Congress of accepting money from a resort owner in return for the Assembly ticket .

The Congress, at the same time, has also stepped up its claim over Ettumanur amid reports of active lobbying by the Catholic Church. Though the seat is presently with the LDF and represented by Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Minister V.N. Vasavan, Congress leaders insist the UDF could wrest it back if the Congress takes charge, claiming tacit support from the Church leadership.