Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 08: The stage is set for a showdown between the defiant Karunakaran faction of ruling Congress in Kerala and the party high command for two Rajya Sabha berths in the state with rebel nominee Kodoth Govindan Nair refusing to back out in favour of official candidates as the deadline for withdrawal of nominations expired. Nair is the third congressman left in fray along with Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai nominated by the party which is leading the state's ruling United Democratic Front.
The high command refused to change its official nominees and the Karunakaran camp also appeared in no mood to pull out their candidate to avoid a triangular contest for the two upper house berths the party can win from the state.
Adamant Karunakaran said yesterday that he was confident of Nair's victory and his camp-followers were busy working plans for the April 14 polling.
Nair has claimed the support of 27 Congress MLAs, which however, fell short of 36 first votes required to romp home. But, strategists in Karunakaran camp are pinning hopes on some of minor partners in UDF as well as disgruntled elements among non-Karunakaran groups in Congress.
Meanwhile, KPCC president K Muraleedharan, who has offered to quit his post, protesting the high command's ignoring his candidate P C Chacko for RS berth, is expected to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Ambika Soni in Delhi today. Bureau Report