Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala is now the chairman of the UDF, thanks to current chairman Oommen Chandy citing the convention and keeping himself aloof. Mr Chennithala made the announcement of his takeover after talks with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday.
The party leadership directed him to assume the chairmanship in the face of Mr Chandy’s unrelenting attitude, owning up the responsibility for the UDF’s poll rout. There are a few ifs and buts to the change of guard, though. Congressmen do not doubt Mr Chennithala’s ability to play the dual role, given his track record as the KPCC president for eight years.
But he also has to emerge in stature proving himself equal to the task in place of Mr Chandy. Party sources say Mr Chennithala should not be uncharitably compared with Mr. Oommen Chandy, who still enjoys a pan-State following. Mr Chandy refused to continue as the UDF chairman despite requests from Mr Chennithala and UDF leaders given the abysmal level of cooperation he got from the KPCC while in power.
Now, out of power, he thinks it will be still worse. So step down than stand in the way of others willing to shoulder fresh responsibilities, so goes the logic.
Mr Chandy also leaves a subtle message to the party high command, which had ignored the bipartisan stand of A and I factions and picked up the loner, Mr V M Sudheeran, to head the KPCC. It is anybody’s guess what support awaits him in days to come.
The high command, which has more pressing engagements in States going to polls next year, runs the risk of leaving the party adrift in Kerala, where it used to have a strong presence till the other day. Now, all eyes are focused on Mr Gandhi’s meeting with State leaders in early July.
