Who Will Lead Kerala? Congress High Command Set to Decide on Chief Ministerial Candidate

Intense Lobbying for Kerala's Chief Minister Position

In the wake of the Congress-led UDF's significant win in the Assembly elections, K Muraleedharan, a prominent Congress figure, announced that a decision regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate is expected within the next 24 hours. This announcement comes amidst a flurry of lobbying efforts and public campaigns supporting three key leaders: V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K C Venugopal.

Muraleedharan informed reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that discussions in Delhi regarding the chief ministerial candidate are nearing completion. He emphasized that public demonstrations and flex boards alone would not dictate the leadership choice.

He stated, "I have shared the sentiments of my constituency with the high command representatives. The people's opinions have been clearly communicated." Muraleedharan also noted that seniority is not the only factor in selecting the chief minister, as the party has not always adhered to this principle.

He highlighted the importance of considering the perspectives of the majority of MLAs and coalition partners, given that the Congress-led UDF operates as a coalition government.

Meanwhile, KPCC president Sunny Joseph mentioned that the Congress leadership aims to reach a decision promptly. A meeting with the three senior leaders is scheduled at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi.

Joseph expressed hope for a consensus and urged party members to avoid public demonstrations regarding the chief ministerial candidacy.

Senior Congress leaders P J Kurien and Kalpetta MLA T Siddique voiced their discontent over the ongoing protests and public disputes among supporters of various leaders. Kurien remarked, "While everyone has the right to express their views, resorting to vandalism is unacceptable. A chief minister cannot be chosen through such tactics."

Siddique shared his disappointment over the public attacks on senior leaders, stating, "Those who have dedicated their lives to public service should not face humiliation. This behavior does not reflect Congress values."

As the Congress-led UDF celebrates its electoral success, public campaigns supporting different candidates for the chief minister position continue across Kerala. Flex boards and posters advocating for Satheesan, along with road shows and demonstrations, have been reported in various districts, while support for Venugopal and Chennithala is also evident.

The two Congress observers tasked with gathering opinions from newly-elected MLAs submitted their report to Kharge, urging a swift decision on the chief ministerial candidate. The focus now shifts to Delhi, where senior Kerala leaders have been called for discussions on government formation.