Ramesh Chennithala Expresses Discontent Over VD Satheesan's Appointment as Kerala CM
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has expressed his dissatisfaction with the appointment of V.D. Satheesan as Kerala's new Chief Minister. Despite a call from Rahul Gandhi, Chennithala remains unhappy and has decided not to attend the legislative party meeting. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of consideration for seniority in the decision-making process. The announcement follows a significant meeting among top Congress leaders, concluding discussions on the leadership transition after the party's recent electoral success. This article delves into the implications of this leadership change and the reactions from key party figures.
| May 14, 2026, 15:31 IST
Discontent Among Congress Leaders
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala voiced his displeasure on Thursday following the announcement of V.D. Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. This declaration put an end to days of speculation and uncertainty surrounding the leadership transition. Despite receiving a call from Rahul Gandhi, Chennithala remained dissatisfied. Sources indicate that he will not attend the legislative party meeting and has no intention of joining the cabinet.
Concerns Over Seniority
Chennithala also raised concerns that seniority was not given due consideration in the decision-making process. However, close associates of Chennithala refuted these claims, asserting that he did not express any dissent to the high command. Earlier in the day, the Congress party officially designated V.D. Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. This announcement was made during a press conference attended by AICC in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi, central observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, along with Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh.
Key Contenders for Chief Minister
Three main contenders for the Chief Minister position were Satheesan, K.C. Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala. Dasmunsi noted that a Congress legislative party meeting held on May 7, 2026, in Thiruvananthapuram unanimously passed a proposal granting Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge the authority to appoint the new leader of the legislative party in the state. She further explained that in line with this, extensive discussions were held involving Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC observers who met with newly elected legislators, and several other leaders, including former presidents of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
Decision Following High-Level Discussions
This announcement came a day after a nearly 40-minute meeting between former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Kharge, after which the party stated that all deliberations and discussions by the high command had concluded. The decision regarding Kerala's next Chief Minister had been pending since May 4, when the Congress-led UDF secured over two-thirds of the majority by winning 102 out of 140 seats. Notably, the Congress holds 63 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, with its allies, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) having 22, Kerala Congress (KEC) with eight, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) with three.