The suspense over Kerala’s next chief minister appears to be narrowing as senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has reportedly emerged as the leading contender following a series of high-level meetings chaired by Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
According to party sources, most senior leaders who attended the crucial discussions backed Venugopal for the top post, giving him a significant edge in the race to lead the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala. Reports suggest that seven out of ten key leaders supported Venugopal’s candidature, while VD Satheesan received support from two leaders and one remained neutral.
The meetings included several influential figures from the Kerala Congress unit, including UDF convenor Adoor Prakash and KPCC disciplinary committee chief Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. Rahul Gandhi also held consultations with former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee presidents and working presidents as the party leadership moved closer to a final decision.
Sources indicate that senior leaders K Muralidharan and VM Sudheeran supported VD Satheesan during the deliberations. Meanwhile, the chances of veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala becoming chief minister now appear to have diminished significantly.
Speaking to reporters after returning from New Delhi, Chennithala said all party members and UDF workers would accept whatever decision the Congress high command takes regarding the chief ministerial post. He added that the delay in announcing the decision was part of a democratic internal process within the party.
Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressed concern over public displays of factionalism within the Kerala Congress unit, including roadshows and power demonstrations by rival camps. The leadership is believed to be keen on ensuring unity before formally announcing the next chief minister.
The Congress-led UDF secured a decisive victory in the Kerala Assembly elections by winning 102 out of 140 seats, comfortably defeating the outgoing Left Democratic Front (LDF), which won 35 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party managed to secure three seats in the state assembly.
With the final announcement expected soon, political activity has intensified across Kerala as supporters of both KC Venugopal and VD Satheesan continue lobbying for their preferred candidate. The decision is likely to shape the future direction of Congress politics in the southern state ahead of the next national electoral cycle.
