Kerala’s Latin Christians have been the bulwark of the Congress’ support base in the state. However, a bitter dispute between Waqf bodies and Christians over land holdings in the Munambam fishing hamlet found the grand old party unable to reconcile differences. Following the passage of the amendments to the Waqf law by Parliament, which Congress opposed, Kerala’s principal opposition party is on the back foot just when its prospects seemed bright for the 2026 Assembly election.