Thiruvananthapuram: Oomen Chandy returned from Delhi only after unseating Ramesh Chennithala. And that’s an exact re-play of the episode in Congress that played out five years ago. At that time, Congress debacle in elections resulted in Oomen Chandy losing the party reins after High Command somehow believing that a change in leadership would set things in order.
The situation speaks of deep-set divisions within UDF and Congress. Oomen Chandy had both Chennithala and Mullappally summoned to Delhi and the general impression is that High Command had been driven to the edge. Leaders like AK Antony put on all-is-well appearance claiming the party will move united along collective leadership lines. However, Ramesh Chennithala’s televised appearances gave away the contrasting crisis inside.
Pro UDF media meanwhile portrayed the developments as High Command taking control of the situation. While "I" Group contends that efforts in Delhi are aimed to replace Chennithala with Oomen Chandy as party leader.
Oomen Chandy’s return would catapult old Solar case to the forefront. The laborious efforts Oomen Chandy and A group had engaged in to bury that scam remains fresh in public minds. Justice G Sivarajan’s Commission report is tabled in front of the Assembly. During elections in December, Oomen Chandy had joined the campaign despite health issues. Yet, , UDF grappled with large-scale defeat including one in his own constituency.
