High Command to break deadlock as supporters of VD Satheesan and KC Venugopal intensify pressure following UDF’s landslide victory.
NEW DELHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The suspense surrounding the selection of Kerala’s next Chief Minister has reached its final stage. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers are scheduled to submit a comprehensive report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday, detailing the individual preferences of the newly elected Congress MLAs.
The report, compiled by senior leaders Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, follows an exhaustive day of “one-on-one” consultations held in the state capital on Thursday. While the 63-member Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has officially passed a single-line resolution authorizing Kharge to make the final call, the High Command’s decision will be heavily influenced by the ground reality captured in the observers’ findings.
A Three-Way Contest for the Top Post
The leadership race has effectively narrowed down to three prominent figures:
- VD Satheesan: The former Leader of the Opposition is widely credited with the UDF’s resurgence. Having successfully steered the alliance through the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 local body polls, his supporters argue he is the natural choice to lead the state after dismantling the LDF’s decade-long rule.
- KC Venugopal: The AICC General Secretary (Organisational) remains a heavyweight contender. While Satheesan enjoys significant rapport with UDF allies, Venugopal is believed to command substantial support among the elected MLAs. However, his appointment would necessitate a by-election, a factor the party is weighing carefully.
- Ramesh Chennithala: The veteran leader and Haripad MLA remains in the fray, representing the seasoned guard of the party’s state unit.
Grassroots Momentum and Ally Influence
The delay in the announcement has triggered a wave of activity across the state. In various districts, Congress workers have launched social media campaigns and staged demonstrations favoring VD Satheesan. Proponents of his leadership argue that overlooking the “architect of victory” could send a negative signal to the grassroots cadre.
Conversely, the High Command is reportedly balancing these sentiments with the need for a leader who can maintain absolute cohesion within the party and the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition. While UDF allies have signaled a comfort level with Satheesan’s inclusive leadership style, the final weightage remains with the internal consensus of the Congress MLAs.
Background: A Historic Mandate
The UDF secured a resounding victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections, winning 102 seats in the 140-member house. The Congress, as the lead partner, bagged 63 seats. This victory ended the two-term reign of the CPI(M)-led LDF, which was reduced to just 35 seats. With the mandate clearly in favor of a change in governance, the AICC is expected to announce the name of the Chief Minister-designate by late Friday or Saturday morning to facilitate the swearing-in ceremony.
