However, in terms of experience in the coffee industry and contributions towards it, his rival IJJ Rebello would stand a better chance, counters another section. ``If the selection is in connection with a candidate's experience in the coffee industry, Rebello will surely make it to the vice-president's post,'' said a planter.

According to Upasi member Anil Kumar Bhandari, acreage was one of the criteria but not the only one. The votes would be cast based on a slab system and it would be a proportional system of allocating a particular number of votes to each member based on hisexperience, acreage, et al.

If the votes were given based only on acreage, Conscofe has a plantation size of 15,000 acres that would be the largest holding in Asia. On the other hand, if the selection process was based on the number of members, Chikmagalur Coffee Planters' Club alone has a strength of 2000 plus while Coorg and Hassan coffee clubs together have a membership of only 1600, said Bhandari.

Rebello who hails from Chikmagalur has 15 years of association with UPASI to his credit. He has been a member of UPASI's special coffee committee for the past 8 years. He is also a member of the Coffee Board. On the other hand, Bopanna had over 30 years of experience in the tea industry and his association with UPASI was not very significant, another faction pointed out.

The Karnataka Coffee Brokers Pvt Ltd managing director B Arun Biddappa felt if the selection was made based on one's coffee back ground, Rebello might stand a chance as Karnataka was basically a coffee state. However, he added, ``In caseof Bopanna, besides Karnataka he will also have support from Kerala and Tamil Nadu as Tatas have large holdings in these states.''

Meanwhile, the members of Chikmagalur Coffee Planters' Club did not attend a recently held KPA meeting. The staying away of Rebello and his supporters from the the meeting could also be an indication of Rebello slowly withdrawing from the race or losing interest in the coveted position. The extraordinary general meeting of KPA due for September 4 is expected to break the ice. At the EGM, the coffee factions would also reach on a comprise/consensus on contestants. But again, ultimately if KPA fails to sort out the problem, the factions have to wait for the finale on September 22 in Conoor at UPASI's annual meet.