PINARAYI TAKES CONTROL

The Kerala assembly election is less than three weeks away and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, 75, is busy tying up loose ends.

- Jeemon Jacob

The CPI(M) strongman is eyeing a second term for himself and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and, if it happens, it will be an occasion to savour. The state hasn’t given a repeat mandate to an incumbent government, the LDF or the rival United Democratic Front (UDF), since 1977 when, strangely ena m oured with the Emergency, the people gave the Congress a second term in power.

Normally, Pinarayi wouldn’t have fancied his chances as, despite a sterling term where his government overcame many a crisis, the past few months have been mired in scandal. What the LDF has going for it is the surprisingly good performance in the local body elections in December (it energised a somnolent campaign) and the seeming disarray in the rival Congress camp.