THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:With more and more skeletons tumbling out of the cupboard on the ice cream sex scandal, the prospects of the UDF in the ensuing Assembly election have received a severe beating.
The main worry for the Congress _ the front leader _ is that whether IUML top leader P K Kunhalikutty, who is in the thick of the controversy, should be paraded along the ‘Kerala Mochana Yatra’ led by Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy.
The yatra, which was supposed to kick off the election campaign for the UDF, has now been at the receiving end as the controversies one after the other have put the Oommen Chandy’s mission into a damp squib.
The Congress is in a fix whether to accommodate the IUML leader in the public meetings in Malappuram and Kozhikode when the yatra reaches there.
The UDF had pinned high hopes on the IUML in the ensuing Assembly elections, particularly after its impressive show in Malappuram in the last Lok Sabha and in the subsequent local body polls.
In fact, the IUML had regained its lost glory, which was reeling under severe pressure after the ice cream sex scandal had rocked the party.
Though the Congress leaders were quick to claim that the row was just a political conspiracy in the backdrop of the elections, the top brass of the Congress are really worried of the front’s prospects in the coming elections.
Undoubtedly the controversy will weaken the IUML and this would reflect in the ballot boxes, particularly in the areas of Malappuram and Kozhikode. This could even have a direct impact on other community vote banks who are now with the UDF.
The weakening of IUML will definitely weaken the UDF too, which would not be a good signal for the Congress.
At the earliest, the IUML will have to take a decision on Kunhalikutty. It will do no good for the party if he again remains at the helm of affairs.
For the time being, Kunhalikutty should step down and save the face of the IUML and through which the face of the UDF. Or else, the Congress will have to negotiate with the IUML for sidelining Kunhalikutty at least till the elections are over.
Both Oommen Chandy and PCC chief Ramesh Chennithala will have to do a lot of thinking before they recoup for the election campaign and face the people.