Left, Right...A March Past

The Congress-led United Democratic Front manifesto is also being readied and for sure it’ll be one up on the LDF. There’ll be a big hue and cry over how the Left derailed much of its development projects. The UDF is sure to target the man who many feel has single-handedly blocked all development—Kerala Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan. His party, the CPI(M), has had to back down, field him in deference to demands from the cadre. It’s a historic reversal of a party decision, perhaps even a first, and came within days of general secretary Prakash Karat’s comments that "some of our comrades have fallen for parliamentary opportunism". Comrade Achuthanandan, Karat now says, will improve the LDF’s prospects. But it remains to be seen how the Left’s perennial CM-in-waiting comes to terms with some of the pre-election promises.

But despite such contradictions, there is visible consternation in the UDF camp. Will VS leading the Left charge give it added edge? Those opposed to K. Karunakaran being welcomed back are already saying the UDF’s chances have indeed dimmed. With intra-party squabbles so out in the open, it’s clear the winner will be the alliance which does the least harm to itself!