THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, It is Sonia Gandhi versus Annie Besant now! The efforts of a few Congress leaders to compare the 'entry of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi into Indian politics with the role of Annie Besant during India's struggle for independence has sparked off an interesting debate in Kerala. This debate, if carried on with vehemence by the Left Front, would kill the early initiative Rained by the Congress-led front after the big reception given to Mrs Sonia Gandhi at Kochi, last week.

A piece written by Mr Kaniyampuram Ramachandran in, "Kalakaumudi", popular Malayalam weekly, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and others on Annie Besant and the misleading comparisons. Made by the Congressmen in their public speeches, has initiated the row.

"I would have been more satisfied if I could have touches the hem of the garments of Madam Blavstky and her distinguished disciple" Mr Ramachandran quotes Mahatma Gandhi. The distinguished disciple was "Dr Besant who came to India and captivated the country". Mr Ramachandran again quotes Jawaharlal Nehru on Annie Besant to underline the wrong comparison.

Where is the comparison between the woman, born in Ireland in 1847 and died in India in 1933, after having dedicated her life to the cause of fighting British colonialism and the widow of Rajiv Gandhi who was against the very entry of her husband in Indian politics in better days? Annie Besant went to jail fighting for Indian independence, led the Congress movement as its president from 1917, even before Gandhiji became a big factor in the freedom struggle.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi, after a long period of political silence after Rajiv Gandhi's death, has no right to politics as a spokesperson of Indian National Congress. Even if she has the right as an Indian citizen, what audacity the Congressmen have to compare her with Annie Besant? These are the posers in the debate initiated by Mr Ramachandran.

The Congress leaders in Kerala, including Mr A K Antony and Mr K Karunakaran have stated in open that the active entry, of Mrs Sonia Gandhi is the redemption of Congress and thereby, that of the nation. They engage the counter attack in the same way because for them, the present-day Mrs Gandhi "is the blessing given to India to be carried forward with pride by the new generation".

There are no pretensions from the Congress side which makes it easier for Leftists.

"This is political cloning to keep alive the dying Congress" Mr Ramachandran says.

In Kerala, this debate can cut both ways. With a 23 per cent Christian population voting in the elections, reckoned as the determining force in six Lok Sabha constituencies, even the attack from persons like Mr Ramachandran can turn positive, if pushed too far.

The Left Front strategy is keep silent on Mrs Sonia Gandhi and her cause in such areas where the sympathy factor can hurt while its campaigners can orchestrate a servile attitude towards her in other areas. But open articles from persons like Mr Ramachandran and other writers against Mrs Sonia Gandhi go across the whole state, making clear the Left position on the very personality of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and her political rights.