KERALA: If there is one state where the Congress can nurse hopes of reviving its fortunes, it would be Kerala. But with its organisational strength drained, the party has a lot to do to regain lost ground.
After the rout of the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by it in the 2016 Assembly polls, the Congress is yet to bounce back in Kerala. The party leadership is often criticised for pampering some communities and antagonising all of them in the end despite the favours showered upon such sections when in power. Still, the democratic ethos of the party gives the Congress an advantage.
Well-entrenched factionalism and the central leadership’s reluctance to deal with it make things complicated for the Congress in Kerala. The much talked about party re-organisation has almost faded from public memory, while the induction of new DCC presidents, which too is delayed, is not arousing any interest either. The penchant of many leaders including KPCC president V M Sudheeran to make brave statements or stage peripheral agitations still continues. The party still pivots on the Oommen Chandy-Ramesh Chennithala axis, while A K Antony calls the shots on behalf of the party high command.
Most top leaders have a trust deficit among the public when it comes to professing secular ideals and matching it with deeds. It is clear that the party is fighting a losing battle when it comes to regaining the trust of the majority and minority communities. Strengthening the ideological foundations is rarely given serious thought although it is a proven fact the people plumped for committed Congress nominees with secular credentials.