New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, May 9: The Congress leadership on Saturday entered what is being seen as the most decisive phase in selecting Kerala’s next Chief Minister, as intense lobbying, public pressure and internal power equations continued to dominate discussions in New Delhi following the United Democratic Front’s sweeping Assembly election victory.
With the Congress-led United Democratic Front securing 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly and ending the decade-long rule of the Left Democratic Front led by Pinarayi Vijayan, the focus has now shifted to who will lead the new government.
Senior Kerala Congress leaders, including V. D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president Sunny Joseph, are expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi as the party attempts to arrive at a consensus.
At the centre of the contest is K. C. Venugopal, who has reportedly secured the backing of a majority of Congress MLAs. Party sources said nearly 47 out of the 63 Congress legislators expressed support for Venugopal before AICC observers, citing his organisational influence and close links with the national leadership as major advantages.
Supporters of Venugopal believe his experience within the party structure and his role at the national level would help maintain unity within the Congress and ensure smoother coordination between the state and central leadership.
However, despite Venugopal’s legislative backing, strong public sentiment within Kerala appears to favour V. D. Satheesan, who spearheaded the Congress campaign against the Left government during the elections.
In recent days, Satheesan supporters have organised demonstrations, torchlight marches and slogan campaigns in several districts, demanding that the leader who led the opposition battle against the Left should now head the government.
The growing public mobilisation has reportedly caused discomfort within sections of the Congress high command. Senior leaders are understood to be unhappy with the aggressive campaigns, viewing them as a breach of party discipline and an indirect challenge to the authority of the central leadership.
According to party sources, the Congress leadership is expected to convey its displeasure over the protests during Saturday’s discussions.
Adding to the pressure is the intervention of the Indian Union Muslim League, a key ally in the UDF coalition. League leaders, including Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, have reportedly communicated to senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, that the party strongly favours Satheesan for the Chief Minister’s post.
The League is also believed to have warned that overlooking Satheesan could create political complications within the alliance at a time when the UDF is preparing to return to power after ten years.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Chennithala continues to project himself as a possible compromise candidate if the leadership fails to bridge differences between the Venugopal and Satheesan camps.
His supporters argue that his administrative experience and seniority could help balance competing factions within the party and ensure stability in the new government.
Congress observers who assessed the political situation in Kerala have reportedly described the atmosphere as highly sensitive and complex. While their report acknowledges that public opinion strongly favours Satheesan, it also highlights the overwhelming support enjoyed by Venugopal among party legislators.
Sources said the Congress high command may ultimately attempt a balancing formula involving key Cabinet portfolios and organisational positions in order to maintain unity within the party.
As the day’s discussions continue in Delhi, political circles in Kerala remain on edge, waiting for the Congress leadership to announce who will finally occupy the Chief Minister’s chair.
