The massive action plan of the Oommen Chandy-led UDF Government to resist the Secretariat siege plan of the LDF on the solar issue, precipitating a war-like situation in the state capital through large-scale deployment of Central paramilitary forces and heavy curbs imposed to restrict the inflow of Left cadre, will leave a lasting mark with its fallout on the UDF Government and particularly Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Whatever be the ultimate outcome of the indefinite stir at the ground level, the political message it will send out will make or mar the fortunes of the mainstream political parties in the short and medium-term phase.
The proposed LDF siege has generated immense curiosity among the public, as both the government and the Opposition are gearing for a showdown. The success of the government in containing the stir will firm up Chandy in the Chief Minister’s saddle and make him an undisputed and strong leader. But it may turn into Chandy’s nemesis itself if untoward incidents overtook the entire scenario, for which the chances are much, and undermine the plans of the government.
If the LDF has been taken aback and has become enraged, despite brave public posturings of its leaders, on the massive counter-measures being put in place, mixed response to the government moves is coming up.‘
’There will be no issue if the siege is peaceful,’’ maintained Chandy, even when spearheading the massive deployment. The Chief Minister and Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had held umpteen meetings with the DGP and other top police officials on Saturday. It is understood that an understanding has been reached between the LDF and the police that the Cantonment Gate in the north-east of the Secretariat will be exempted from the siege, in order to avoid prohibitory orders under Section 144 IPC.
It is no open secret that the ‘I’ faction of the Congress and disgruntled minor partners in the UDF are waiting for an opportune moment to strike against Chandy, once his popularity graph came down for one reason or the other.
However, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala has deplored as ‘fascist’ the LDF stir to bring the functioning of the Secretariat to a standstill. ‘’The Opposition has the right to stage agitations. But the stir announced by the LDF is unheard of under any democratic setup,’’ he pointed out. ‘’The stir is going to have the same fate as all the failed agitations of the LDF in the past two years,’’Ramesh said.
Outfits such as KC(B), KC(Jacob),CMP and JSS have aired their reservations that the counter moves of the government to checkmate the LDF stir were not discussed in the UDF and also expressed doubts on how a political stir could be dealt by force alone.
Meanwhile, Government Chief Whip P C George fired his first salvo on Saturday against Chandy, once his mentor and favourite, that it is better for the latter to step down from the post of chief minister .
‘’The UDF is in tatters. The high command should think about accommodating Chandy at the Centre with a suitable post,’’ George said.