Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) is struggling to get its act together even as the Assembly prepares for the three-day general discussions on the revised budget for 2006-'07 from Monday

The UDF liaison committee has not met for the last one month and attempts to find a convenient date for the meeting have become a frustrating experience. The differences between the Congress and the Kerala Congress(M) that cropped up over the allocation of the Rajya Sabha seat have not been resolved. The coalition is unlikely to meet till Kerala Congress(M) leader K.M. Mani is mollified.

The Congress and the Kerala Congress(M) have not concealed their differences. Even on important issues such as reactions to the budget and the Governor's address, the Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and Mr. Mani took care to hold separate press conferences. The combined moves in the Assembly on a notice for an adjournment motion on the irregularities in the Maitri housing scheme had given the impression that the two parties had let bygones be bygones. But Mr. Mani has not given any indication that he would accept the olive branch. KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala called on Mr. Mani the other day with some formula, but according to reports, Mr. Mani did not respond positively.

The Kerala Congress(M) views the denial of Rajya Sabha seat as a reflection of the unilateral style of functioning in the Congress leadership. His party's State secretariat had decided not to attend any of the UDF committee meetings till its grievances were redressed. According to Congress sources, Mr. Mani is likely to be invited to Delhi by Congress president Sonia Gandhi for talks aimed at finding an amicable settlement of differences.

With crucial discussions set to be held in the coming days, the differences between the Congress and the Kerala Congress(M) would affect floor coordination in the Assembly, unless discussions are held on the strategies to be adopted in the House. Earlier, the UDF parliamentary party used to meet during the Assembly sessions and work out the strategy to be adopted in the House.

The IUML also has its own differences with the Congress with regard to the allocation of the Rajya Sabha seat.

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