Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony is likely to seek a confidence vote in the assembly to end the crisis sparked by the revolt of senior Congress leader K Karunakaran.

Antony loyalist and UDF convener Oommen Chandy said there was a strong view in the anti-Karunakaran camp that the option to seek confidence vote could be considered to end the political 'uncertainities' facing the coalition government.

He, however, added that it was for the chief minister to decide on the matter and it would require clearance from the Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The coalition partners should also be taken into confidence, Chandy told the press.

He was confident that Antony would win 'hands down' in the event of a confidence vote. "Such a course of action will help clear all doubts regarding the majority enjoyed by the Antony government," he said.

He said the question of a leadership change in the state did not arise as the chief minister enjoyed a two-third majority in the house.

About KPCC president K Muraleedharan's statement that Antony had betrayed his lack of trust in the Congress MLAs, Chandy said it was unbelievable that such a comment had come from the KPCC president who was bound to protect the government 'like the apple of his eye'.