Thiruvananthapuram: An uneasy political calm surrounds the Congress-led UDF government in the State headed by Oommen Chandy as it sails into the fifth year Monday with groupism resurfacing in the party and ties souring with some of the coalition partners.
Though putting up a brave face, Chandy had made it clear that UDF government would complete its full term in office, political observers feel that the year ahead was not going to be easy for Chandy, who came to power on a wafer thin majority of two MLAs in 2011 riding on the slogan of “development and care”.
Immediate challenge before the UDF is the ensuing by-poll in the Aruvikara Assembly segment in Thiruvanthapuram district, which fell vacant following the death of former speaker and Congress leader, G Karthikeyan in February last.