What is making the bounce-back efforts more difficult is the open face-off between the Congress and the Kerala Congress(M) apart from the tussle between the two dominant groups in the Congress itself.

First, the problems besetting the Congress. True, the party high command has effected a temporary truce. But it is so fragile that it can collapse anytime.

As part of the ceasefire formula, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, V. M. Sudheeran, whose removal had been demanded vociferously by both the Oommen Chandy-led A group and Ramesh Chennithala-headed I group, will retain his post for the time being.

But the million dollar question is: Will the High Command summon the political will to effect a full-fledged reconstitution of the party organization right from the booth level? It is a classic case of the high command willing to strike but afraid to wound. But a genuine revamp based solely on the basis of merit – which is what Sudheeran, a high command appointee - is aiming at. And a reconstitution in the real sense of the term is impossible without a major surgery because the groupism malady has gone far too deep to admit any tinkering job.

Past efforts in this direction have foundered on the rock of stiff resistance from the dominant A and I groups. But, if the high command wants to make a beginning, this is the right time. The reason: both the groups, literally licking the electoral wounds, are psychologically down. The High Command’s gameplan to retain Sudheeran as the KPCC chief and defer the reconstitution plan on the basis of merit, may come a cropper for the simple reason that with the passage of time both the groups get the time to strengthen themselves, shaking off the shock of electoral defeat.

Even as the Congress is trying to regain its poise in the wake of the electoral reverse, the UDF is facing more problems. For instance, the KC()M) has openly accused ‘big brother’ Congress of attempting to undermine its coalition partners.

If the tone and tenor of the KC(M) leaders at the recent steering committee meeting of the party is any guide, the party has decided to toughen its stand vis-as-vis the Congress. The KC(M), it is an open secret, has not forgiven the Congress for filing an FIR against former finance minister and KC(M) president K M Mani in the bar bribery case, which resulted in Mani’s resignation. The KC(M) is particularly angry with former Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in this regard.

In support of its allegation that the Congress is trying to wipe out coalition partners, the KC(M) is pointing at the fate which has overtaken the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), which failed to win a single seat in the assembly polls. If the KC(M) has survived, it is simply because of its inherent organizational base, party leaders opine.

The KC(M) also feels that the Congress is responsible for the defeat of KC(M) candidate in the Trivalla constituency. The defeat in other constituencies like Poonjar, Kothamangalam and Irinjalakuda has heightened the sense of insecurity of the KC(M). It is continuing in the UDF as the party simply does not have any other option. But the complete breakdown of trust between the Congress and the KC(M) is bound to cast a big shadow on the future of the UDF as a cohesive front.

Likewise, the Janata Dal(U), another UDF constituent, has also blamed the Congress for the poor UDF performance in the poll battle. The JD(U) has blamed it squarely on the failure to effectively counter the communal forces gathering strength in the state. A corollary of this failure has been the massive shifting of minority votes to the LDF from the UDF. Another factor which did the UDF in, were the controversial decisions taken on the eve of the elections. As a result of all this, the JD(U) lost all the seven seats it contested. No wonder, a section in the party feels that it would have performed better had it crossed over to the LDF before the polls.

There is no doubt that Opposition leader and UDF chairman Ramesh Chennithala has a herculean task on his hands: of strengthening the Congress and putting the UDF back on its feet. It remains to be seen whether he will enjoy the same rapport which former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had with the coalition partners. The outlook is dismal as both the IUML and the KC(M) are wary of the wily Chennithala, who has, in the past, taken stands against both the dominant partners of the Congress in the UDF. (IPA Service)