KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Congress (M) and its breakaway faction, the Democratic Kerala Congress, will have to sweat it out on the rough and tough terrains of Idukki district to prove their strength in the Assembly elections.
The UDF has strong roots among the farmers and plantation workers of the High Ranges and it will be an uphill task for the dissidents led by Mr Francis George and Mr P.C. Joseph to establish their credentials in the face of the strong challenge posed by the Kerala Congress(M).
The UDF and the KC(M) will try their level best to destroy the Democractic
Kerala Congress in the district as its leaders, Mr Francis George and Mr P.C. Joseph, are counting on their mass support base here to prove their relevance.
If Mr P.C. Joseph is pitted against sitting MLA Roshy Augustin of the KC(M), the contest may become a knife-edge affair.
The stand of the Idukki diocese and the High Range Samrakshana Samithi (HRSS) will be crucial in deciding the outcome. The Idukki diocese, which has welcomed the liquor policy of the UDF, may not align with the LDF this time unlike in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
The district which has five Assembly seats-- Idukki, Thodupuzha, Peerumedu, Devikulam and Udumbanchola –has witnessed unrest over various issues, including the Kasturirangan report and the title deeds. The LDF won three seats in 2011-- Peerumedu, Devikulam and Udumbanchola-- but only Udumbanchola can be regarded as its bastion.
In 2006, the UDF got the upper hand in four seats winning Idukki, Thodupuzha, Peerumedu and Devikulam, whereas the LDF got only Udumbanchola. The Idukki, Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola constituencies mainly comprise farmers whereas Peerumedeu and Devikulam have mostly the plantation workers.
The CPM may field the controversial former district secretary M.M. Mani, known for his fiery tongue, to cash in on his hawkish image. DCC president Roy K. Poulose may find a place in the Congress list.
