The latest blow has come in the form of a High Court order which set aside the Election Commission order preventing extension of the Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme to more categories of people. The EC had moved the High Court following a complaint from a Congress MLA that the LDF Government’s decision to extend the scheme would give the ruling party an undue advantage in the upcoming assembly elections.

The Court has rejected the petition saying the Government had taken the decision much before the notification on the assembly elections came.

The court order has come as a shot in the arm for the ruling LDF while it has sent the spirits drooping in the UDF camp.

In retrospect, the Congress would seem to have made a political blunder by challenging the scheme. The legal setback for the UDF would certainly reflect in the voting pattern, especially of the poorer sections of the society.

Another matter of grave concern for the Congress is the stand taken by the Malankara Orthodox Church, which is unhappy at the failure of the party to give proper representation to its candidates. The group may field its own candidates against the Congress candidates in select constituencies, it is learnt. Another Christian church group, the Marthoma group, is also upset at the raw deal meted out to it by the Congress in the matter of candidate selection. The resentful reaction of the Christian groups is bound to affect the chances of the UDF in the constituencies in both the southern and central districts of the state.

As if this is not enough, the Congress is extremely worried over the meetings State CPI secretary C K Chandrappan and CPI(M) leader and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan have had with the Thrissur Bishop and Kannur Bishop respectively the other day. The Kannur bishop has openly said that he will not issue orders to the followers to vote for any particular party, adding that they will be free to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Meanwhile, the unceasing bickering over seat sharing has caused widespread resentment not only within the Congress but also among the allies. Both the Congress and its two major allies, the Kerala Congress (M) and the Indian Union Muslim League face the prospect of rebels contesting against official candidates.

Already, a member of the State Youth Congress committee, Jaya Dali, has resigned from the party. She will now contest against the Congress’s official candidate as an independent backed by the LDF. Even Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ramesh Chennithala is in danger of having to grapple with rebel menace as an angry INTUC leader K Rajan has signalled his intent to contest against Ramesh as a rebel in Harippad in Alappuzha district.

The list of candidates prepared by the state Youth Congress also became a bone of contention between the two major groups in the Congress headed by leader of the opposition, Mr Oommen Chandy and KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala. A number of state Congress leaders, including Union Minister Vayalar Ravi, have complained to the party high command about the manner in which Ramesh and Chandy have tried to ‘divide’ the seats between their factions.

All this has left a trail of bitterness. It is also feared that once the Congress list is out, more rebels are likely to enter the poll fray, posing a big threat to official Congress candidates.

Likewise, the KC(M) also finds itself in deep trouble. Already a senior KC(M) leader has quit the party in protest against denial of ticket; indications are that he will contest against the official KC(M) nominee as an LDF-supported Independent.

The IUML, the second largest constituent of the UDF, is also at grave risk from disgruntled party leaders who have been denied a ticket this time. A section of the IUML is unhappy at the manner in which the party general secretary, Mr P K Kunhalikkuty has distributed tickets to his loyalists. Observers feel the IUML is likely to face the wrath of these elements in the elections, and it won’t be a surprise if the party’s tally goes down as a result of the activities of the aggrieved party leaders. (IPA)