Old rivals will fight it out in the high ranges again

Two major fronts see a shift in loyalty among constituents, draw battle lines

Green-capped mountains and light showers, accompanied by cool breeze in the evenings, have helped Idukki maintain a façade of tranquillity this summer. But, beneath the calm is simmering a high-octane political battle. From construction ban to title deeds and agrarian distress to a split in the Kerala Congress (M), issues abound its poll-scape, which began heating up much before the official announcement of the Assembly elections. At the same time, this also happens to be a battle where pressure groups other than major outfits such as the High Range Protection Council and the Pembilai Orumai do not have much of a role to play. The Catholic Church, which has been in the forefront of several public agitations over the decades, remains surprisingly silent this time.