While the Congress has indicated that it will put up a united front to support Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, party sources said the beleaguered leader’s role in the upcoming Assembly elections could be put through some hard debate.

The two leaders — Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president V M Sudheeran — who, along with Chandy, complete the Congress’ power troika in the state, have already voiced their support.

The government is exploring legal options, including moving the high court, against the vigilance court direction to register a FIR against Chandy. A possible change of leadership is a debate for another day, a senior Congress leader told Deccan Herald.

“The Congress party will back him all through this difficult phase. But personally, I feel there is no harm in Chandy keeping away from its leadership during the election campaign,” the leader said.

Recent moves allegedly made by Chennithala, who leads the “I” faction against the Chandy camp, have suggested that the home minister is eyeing the top post. Chennithala said on Thursday that the court directive was no reason for Chandy to step down.