Karnataka CM Dismisses BJP's Criticism Over Kerala Leadership Delay
Karnataka's Chief Minister Priyank Kharge has rejected the BJP's criticisms regarding the delay in naming Kerala's Chief Minister, labeling it an internal coalition issue. Following the UDF's recent electoral success, Kharge emphasized that the BJP should focus on its own leadership challenges. The ongoing discussions within the Congress party regarding potential candidates for the Chief Minister position in Kerala have sparked speculation about their future leadership strategy. As various names are being considered, the political landscape in Kerala remains dynamic and uncertain.
| May 12, 2026, 15:01 IST
Karnataka Chief Minister Responds to BJP's Queries
Karnataka's Chief Minister Priyank Kharge addressed concerns raised by the BJP regarding the delay in announcing the name of the Chief Minister for Kerala on Tuesday. He characterized the ongoing stalemate following the United Democratic Front's significant victory in the assembly elections as an internal matter of the coalition. Speaking to a news media outlet, he criticized the BJP for questioning this issue, pointing out that it took them over a month to appoint a Chief Minister in Karnataka.
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Kharge questioned the BJP's interest in the matter, emphasizing that the decision regarding the Chief Minister is an internal issue for them. This statement came after BJP's national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala mocked the Congress party, suggesting that it appears they plan to have five Chief Ministers in five years. Following the UDF's impressive win in the Kerala assembly elections, Poonawala spoke to a news media outlet, mentioning that Congress leaders are proposing names like V.D. Satheesan and K.C. Venugopal for the Chief Minister position.
He noted that the Congress has secured a clear majority in Kerala, yet has not finalized a Chief Minister even after several days. Reports suggest that under pressure from the Jamaat, Priyanka Vadra is advocating for V.D. Satheesan, while Rahul Gandhi is supporting K.C. Venugopal. Others are proposing Ramesh Chennithala, and some are in favor of Shashi Tharoor. It seems the Congress party has devised a plan to rotate through five Chief Ministers over the next five years.
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Poonawala further criticized the Congress, claiming that the party would bring instability to Kerala, similar to what they have done in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and previously in Punjab and Rajasthan. Meanwhile, discussions regarding the next Chief Minister of Kerala commenced on Tuesday, involving opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and former heads of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. Key contenders for the Chief Minister position include V.D. Satheesan, K.C. Venugopal, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala. Other prominent figures such as Mullappally Ramachandran, M.M. Hassan, K. Sudhakaran, V.M. Sudhiran, K. Muraleedharan, A.P. Anil Kumar, P.C. Vishnunath, and Shafi Parambil have traveled to New Delhi to meet with the Congress leadership to finalize the next CM.