Several senior Congress leaders remain in the race for the top post, with Ramesh Chennithala, V. D. Satheesan and K. C. Venugopal emerging as the main contenders. Over the past few days, the Congress high command has held extensive consultations with the three leaders, newly elected MLAs, MPs from Kerala, senior party functionaries, former KPCC chiefs and leaders of United Democratic Front allies.
Earlier reports suggested that the decision-making process had slowed down due to the health condition of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for routine medical check-ups. Party insiders later indicated that the final decision would depend on discussions between Rahul Gandhi and Kharge.
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On Wednesday evening, Rahul Gandhi visited Kharge’s residence for a meeting that lasted nearly 40 minutes. However, the much-awaited announcement did not follow. Addressing the media after the meeting, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said the Congress would announce its chief ministerial pick only on Thursday.
Meanwhile, speculation intensified across Kerala after unconfirmed reports claimed that V.D. Satheesan had been finalised as the Congress choice for chief minister. Supporters gathered outside Satheesan’s residence in Aluva and also at the KPCC headquarters, Indira Bhavan, in Thiruvananthapuram expecting an official declaration. However, party workers were later asked to disperse after the announcement was postponed.
Earlier reports had indicated that the Congress leadership was leaning towards K.C. Venugopal over Satheesan and Chennithala. Venugopal reportedly enjoys strong backing from a majority of the party’s MLAs, MPs and senior Congress leaders in Kerala. At the same time, Satheesan has emerged as a popular choice among UDF allies, grassroots Congress workers and sections of the public due to his role as Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly.
With multiple factions backing different leaders, the Congress high command appears to be proceeding cautiously before making the final call on Kerala’s next chief minister.
Nearly nine days after the Kerala Assembly election results were declared on May 4, the state is still waiting for clarity on who will become the next chief minister. The suspense continued on Wednesday evening even after a crucial meeting between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
Several senior Congress leaders remain in the race for the top post, with Ramesh Chennithala, V. D. Satheesan and K. C. Venugopal emerging as the main contenders. Over the past few days, the Congress high command has held extensive consultations with the three leaders, newly elected MLAs, MPs from Kerala, senior party functionaries, former KPCC chiefs and leaders of United Democratic Front allies.
Earlier reports suggested that the decision-making process had slowed down due to the health condition of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for routine medical check-ups. Party insiders later indicated that the final decision would depend on discussions between Rahul Gandhi and Kharge.
On Wednesday evening, Rahul Gandhi visited Kharge’s residence for a meeting that lasted nearly 40 minutes. However, the much-awaited announcement did not follow. Addressing the media after the meeting, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said the Congress would announce its chief ministerial pick only on Thursday.
Meanwhile, speculation intensified across Kerala after unconfirmed reports claimed that V.D. Satheesan had been finalised as the Congress choice for chief minister. Supporters gathered outside Satheesan’s residence in Aluva and also at the KPCC headquarters, Indira Bhavan, in Thiruvananthapuram expecting an official declaration. However, party workers were later asked to disperse after the announcement was postponed.
Earlier reports had indicated that the Congress leadership was leaning towards K.C. Venugopal over Satheesan and Chennithala. Venugopal reportedly enjoys strong backing from a majority of the party’s MLAs, MPs and senior Congress leaders in Kerala. At the same time, Satheesan has emerged as a popular choice among UDF allies, grassroots Congress workers and sections of the public due to his role as Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly.
With multiple factions backing different leaders, the Congress high command appears to be proceeding cautiously before making the final call on Kerala’s next chief minister.
