Even though the two rival factions in the All Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA) agreed to function jointly and signed an MoU in respect of its future functioning, rift again developed in the new set up of the organisation which is likely to result in the emergence of a new trade body called AKCDF, Kerala branch of AICDF.

One of the old factions of AKCDA, the state branch of All India Chemists and Distributors Federation (AICDF), has again split into two and one of the splinter groups has joined AKCDA giving more strength to the organisation to face the impending organisational election. In the joint committee that has been formed to assist the court appointed commission to conduct the election, nobody from the AICDF branch supporting its leader AN Mohan was nominated, not even its leader. The joint committee was formed by selecting nine members each from AKCDA and the splinter group of AICDF led by M Sivasankaran.

According to unconfirmed reports from traders, this was a new strategy evolved by the AKCDA leader Antony Tharian who was directed by AIOCD leader J N Shinde to get rid of Mohan from all the committees and block his interference in the election affairs. By deliberately sidelining Mohan, AKCDA could succeed in bringing its fold those members hitherto supported the opposite body. Even the former secretary of Mohan group, M Sivasankaran is now holding a prominent role in the AIOCD branch.

In Kerala, rift had developed in the AKCDA in 2007 following the sacking of Mohan due to allegation of embezzlement. Later, he formed another trade body in the national level and there began a rivalry between the two factions. This faction feud continued till February this year and ended with the merger of the two groups in the wake of the organisational election for which the processes are progressing under the supervision of Advocate V S Rajagopal, the court appointed Commissioner.

For an amicable settlement, the captains of the two groups assembled at the AKCDA office in Thrissur on March 1 and signed the agreement declaring reunification and future course of action. But the MoU did not have a longstanding life, that is what evident from the later developments. It is now clear that the dispute over the ownership of the organisation will continue in the state even after the election as the organisation has its own offices and property in all the districts.

Until the merger of the two factions, the state branch of the AICDF was working in some districts under the name AKCDA, whereas in other states the respective branches have accepted different names. The national leaders of AICDF which has a miniscule foothold in Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have objected the move by Mohan in putting the faction into AIOCD fold in Kerala.