What was initially expected to be a smooth transition of power after the UDF’s decisive victory has now turned into a leadership selection crisis
New Delhi
More than a week after the Congress-led United Democratic Front secured a sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly elections, uncertainty continues over who will become the next chief minister of the state.
What was initially expected to be a smooth transition of power following the UDF’s decisive electoral victory has instead turned into a prolonged leadership suspense within the Congress party. While celebrations continue across Kerala, senior party leaders remain engaged in consultations and internal discussions over the selection of the next chief minister.
On Tuesday, the leadership process gained further attention after senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was summoned to New Delhi for another round of consultations with the party high command. His meeting is being viewed as part of ongoing efforts to finalize a consensus candidate for the chief minister’s post.
According to party sources, K. C. Venugopal currently appears to enjoy the support of a majority among the Congress party’s 63 legislators in Kerala. Venugopal, who serves as the All India Congress Committee general secretary (organisation), is considered a trusted figure within the national leadership and is believed to have the confidence of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
However, Venugopal’s emergence as a leading contender has reportedly generated dissatisfaction among sections of Congress workers and supporters in Kerala. Many grassroots leaders and party supporters believe that the chief minister’s position should go to V. D. Satheesan, who led the opposition campaign against the second government of Pinarayi Vijayan over the past five years.
Supporters of Satheesan argue that his aggressive political campaigns and consistent criticism of the previous government played a major role in the UDF’s electoral success. While Venugopal may enjoy stronger backing from the central leadership, Satheesan is widely seen as having greater emotional support among ordinary Congress workers in Kerala.
Veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also remains an important contender due to his long experience in both administration and party organization.
The debate over the leadership has now expanded beyond party circles into public discussion. One major issue being raised is whether a sitting Member of Parliament should be appointed as Kerala’s chief minister. However, Congress insiders point to previous examples where leaders holding national positions later moved to state leadership roles, including Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and former Kerala Chief Minister A. K. Antony. Before leaving for consultations in Delhi, Radhakrishnan indicated that discussions were nearing a conclusion.