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  India   Kerala: Congress relies on ‘Antony factor’ to stop LDF win

Kerala: Congress relies on ‘Antony factor’ to stop LDF win

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Apr 4, 2016, 2:08 am IST
Updated : Apr 4, 2016, 2:08 am IST

The Congress is relying on the Antony factor to check the LDF in the Kerala battle and unite warring factions in the party.

The Congress is relying on the Antony factor to check the LDF in the Kerala battle and unite warring factions in the party. “Antony should be made the Congress’ face against the Left and the BJP in the elections,” viewed a section of the party against the backdrop of the opinion polls predicting a clear victory for the LDF in the state.

Mr Antony has a clean image, the tallest leader and former chief minister who can lead the electoral battle effectively against the LDF than chief minister Oomen Chandy and PCC chief V.M. Sudheeran, Congress insiders feel.

The Kerala Congress remained a divided house with the chief minister, the PCC chief, senior leaders like Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan, Vayalar Ravi and others finding it difficult to revive the fighting spirit against the Left.

“What will Antonyji do in Delhi if the party loses the election ” asked a senior Congress leader suggesting that he is required more in Kerala than in Delhi.

Opinion polls conducted by various poll agencies have predicted a clear victory for the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala.

The C-Voter opinion poll predicts that the LDF will return to power by winning 89 out of the 140 seats in the state Assembly. The ruling Congress-led UDF is expected to win just 49 seats. And, the BJP is expected to open its account in the Kerala Assembly by bagging one seat. C-Fore – Asianet opinion poll also predicts a clear win for the LDF with 77-82 seats. It says the LDF may get 41 per cent votes. The Congress-led UDF is expected to win 55-60 seats with 37 per cent vote share. The BJP is expected to win three-five seats with 18 per cent vote share, it says.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi may not be of any use in Kerala after he shared stage with the CPI(M) and praised Left in the West Bengal poll campaigning. The Congress lost its power in Arunachal Pradesh and is fighting a legal battle on President’s Rule in Uttarakhand after rebellion by its nine legislators.

The current electoral battle in Assam is going to be tough for the Sonia Gandhi-led party. Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka are the two key states where it is in power. But they too are not free from factional fights.

Location: India, Delhi, New Delhi