Litmus test for Kerala Congress (M), rebels in Idukki

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.