KOCHI: The elimination of Kerala Congress (Democratic) in the just concluded Assembly election is considered a setback for the Church which influences fronts mainly through the Kerala Congress factions. It could even open a link to BJP through Kerala Congress faction of P C Thomas.

The major discord that may arise between the Church and the LDF would be in the form of the possible new liquor policy of the LDF Government. It is to be seen what the LDF, which did not revoke the arrack ban of the 1996 Antony Government, would do in the case of the policy of Oommen Chandy Government for phased prohibition in 10 years. The Church also bats for prohibition but the current LDF leadership has been saying that it stands for temperance and not prohibition.

The other principal areas where the two may clash will be on giving titled deeds to farmers and on education policy. CPM politburo member M A Baby told DC that LDF has enough MLAs to keep the channel open with the Church.

“They include Raju Abraham, Veena George, Mathew T Thomas and Thomas Isaac. But we don’t think that the Church would think about influencing our policies. LDF is not like UDF which even succumbed on the fifth Minister of IUML. In the case of P J Joseph during LDF dispensation, the front decided and he resigned as Minister and did not allow anyone to interfere,” said Baby.

Baby said that secular principles are guiding LDF. He also said that the KC (D) was allowed entry into the LDF in order to give people of Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam access to the front. “These areas are dominated by UDF and we chose the best available Kerala Congress group from the region,” said Baby.

Meanwhile KCBC has made a good start by stating that Pinarayi Vijayan would make a good Chief Minister.