THIRUVANANTGHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who looked distraught and desolate after the Vigilance court stinger the previous day, was composed and resolute after the High Court lent him a two-month breather on Friday by freezing the order for FIR.
Barring JD (U), all UDF allies have reiterated confidence in Mr Chandy on the eve of the UDF meeting.
The AICC expressed confidence in him soon after the HC order. Rival colleague and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said there was need to resign.
KPCC president V M Suheeran also extended support, even demanding that the Government urgently expose the plotters against it.
The Muslim League has clarified that it will swim with UDF through. “We dare not reconsider our stand till Mr Chandy himself decides to”, said a League leader. Which is very remote and will be tantamount to rocking the boat in the run-up to the assembly elections.
With most allies in the bag, Mr Chandy will further consolidate his position by taking up for discussion at the UDF on Saturday the return of Mr Babu to the Cabinet.
Coalition dharma demands that such unprecedented moves as re-inducting a minister, who has resigned, need the leaders’ endorsement.
Insiders say that the major threat Mr Chandy faced was from the ‘I” group but senior leader A K Antony ensured simmering dissensions did not crystallize into an open revolt. He had asked leaders back home to see the larger picture than be obsessed with their own individual fortunes, which will come to nought if the UDF ship sinks.
Mr Chandy still enjoys the upper hand because there is no alterative (TINA) to him in the UDF, except Mr Antony, who still retains a pre-eminent position in the Congress and UDF pantheon.
It will the TINA factor that will keep the “I” group in check for now and several years ahead.
