Rahul Gandhi's Kerala visit in time of UDF Crisis

NEW DELHI: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s negotiation skills will be tested when he visits Kerala next week for a state Youth Congress conference. The Congress leadership is concerned over the credibility crisis that has hit the Oommen Chandy-led regime and the surge in factional fighting in the state Congress unit and United Democratic Front, in UDF’s final year in office before the 2016 assembly polls.

The Kerala crisis will show if Gandhi has acquired the skills and authority to be a fair arbitrator. Chandy’s deft skills of leading a coalition had given the impression until six months ago that his government would become the first one in Kerala to be re-elected to power. That perception changed recently after a series of scandals hit the UDF. Factional fights within the state Congress and UDF has added to Chandy's woes, with rivals and coalition partners trying to check-mate each other. The situation provoked AK Antonyto lament about UDF’s image taking a beating.

The faction loyal to Chandy is unwilling to allow a change in leadership which the Ramesh Chennithala faction is asking for. Chandy’s skills to manage crises is not in question but the Congress leadership is skeptical on whether they are enough to win next year’s assembly polls. "It is crucial for Rahulji to engage every stake-holder and bring peace in the state Congress and UDF. Since the Kerala unit often refuses to merely follow the high command, settling the feud is not easy," a senior leader said.