KOCHI: Are there candidates who are not worried about who will be the opponent when the Lok Sabha elections are called? If this question is to Ernakulam sitting MP Hibi Eden and the Congress leaders of the district, the answer will be a big laugh.

UDF seems to have confirmed their victory in the upcoming elections as well. Everyone is sure that Hibi Eden himself will be the candidate. Hibi and the Congress leaders are confident of repeating the victory regardless of the opposition candidate. Hibi's asset is that he has not deviated from the popular path started by his father, George Eden. UDF has won 13 out of 16 elections in Ernakulam. The Congress is all set to enter the fray after the Samaragni Yatra led by KPCC President K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan passes the district.

LDF is in a state of not being able to find a candidate even though the trumpet has sounded for the election. The LDF is tasked with finding a suitable candidate in a constituency that has significant influence from the Latin Catholic community. It is heard that even Prof KV Thomas, who left the Congress and joined the CPM camp, may be tried. He says that he will not compete. There is also a rumour that his daughter may be sent to contest instead. It is indicated that the CPM is continuing its search for an acceptable candidate from the Latin Catholic community. CPM is busy looking for a chance of sabotage.

The BJP, which believes that central governance will continue with their party at the helm, is also in confusion. The party has not been able to decide who will be the candidate who will appeal to the religious minority. The leadership wants senior Congress leader AK Antony's son Anil Antony to be the candidate. The question is also raised whether Anil Antony should be nominated as soon as he joined the party.