It could be a cakewalk for Achuthanandan

MALAMPUZHA: Thanks to the "historical blunder" of the CPM politburo, a senior marxist V S Achuthanandan has emerged a potential chief ministerial candidate if the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) wins the April-May Kerala assembly polls.
Wrapping a halo of greatness, Achuthanandan crisscrosses the state addressing rallies and social groups to ensure victory for the LDF.
And, in that race for victory, Achuthanandan has little time nor any need to campaign in his own constituency ��� Malampuzha in Palakkad district.
The warlordism in the CPM had led to the denial of ticket to opposition leader Achuthanandan. His struggle with the Malabar lobby led by Pinarai Vijayan forced the politburo to forbid both from contesting. But it soon backtracked and allowed Achuthanandan to contest. In the interregnum, the party cadres and media portrayed Achuthanandan as a "good guy". He represents the orthodox Marxist faction in the CPM whose essential characteristics are anti-liberalism (anti-Americanism) and Fabian socialism.
Malampuzha, a scenic splendour, has never deserted the communist party. Even in the 1977 elections when the entire state backed Indira Gandhi, Malampuzha refused to deviate.
In the past 50 years, this constituency, comprising eight panchayats, has always been a CPM-stronghold. But it���s in this Marxist citadel Achuthanandan saved his skin in the 2001 elections with a mere margin of 4,703 votes. His fragile status could be gauged from the fact that Achuthanandan had miserly lost in his own constituency, Mararikulam, in 1996 elections.
Today, however his status has risen."Comrade" will win hands down with little effort is the perceptible belief in this tourist spot. The public perception that he is the next chief ministerial candidate has added more vim to the party machine.
The constituency has over 1.5 lakh voters who are overwhelmingly agrarian labourers. Locals do not have dazzling money and they are therefore enamoured with the proletarian mantra.
However, this has not deterred Satisan Pacheni, Congress (UDF) candidate, from claiming a "sure victory".
His appeal clearly shows he is relying on the UDF government���s "pro-development" and "liberal" image to carry him along.
As if to provide a comic relief, the BJP which at best can be termed an "also ran", has fielded a Christian in the constituency.