New Delhi: On Tuesday afternoon, Rahul Gandhi engaged in discussions with former KPCC chiefs and senior party leaders. Late that evening, he met with V M Sudheeran at 10, Janpath, a notable advocate for V D Satheesan. This meeting marked the conclusion of extensive consultations aimed at determining the next Chief Minister of Kerala. Hours later, Sudheeran publicly emphasized the necessity of aligning the CM selection with “public sentiments.”
The following day, Rahul held a pivotal meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, where the decision was finalized, though details remained confidential at that time. Sources indicate that K C Venugopal was removed from consideration during the Kharge-Rahul dialogue, marking a significant turning point for Venugopal, who had received substantial backing from MLAs before AICC observers on May 7.
His exclusion did not finalize the outcome for the party, as Ramesh Chennithala remained a viable option representing a “compromise” in a competitive three-way race. Anticipation mounted as Thursday morning approached, with the official announcement expected.
At 10 AM, Rahul called Venugopal to his Sunehri Bagh residence for a discussion lasting over an hour, which included Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. During this meeting, Venugopal was briefed on the “decision-making process” that had favored Satheesan over him. Despite this information, the final decision was still not communicated widely, including to some party management personnel destined for Kerala.
Shortly thereafter, Kharge organized a meeting with AICC state in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, where they revealed the finalized plan for public communication. Venugopal’s exclusion indicated a definitive leap towards a generational change in state leadership, eliminating the prospect of a compromise candidate like Chennithala.
At noon, a press conference was convened where Maken, Dasmunshi, Wasnik, and Jairam Ramesh collectively announced Satheesan as the new Chief Minister. The phrase “public sentiment” became central to the narrative pushed by Satheesan’s supporters and the general populace, as the selection process unfolded over nine days. This rationale was echoed by coalition partners IUML, RSP, and the Kerala Congress, who expressed concerns about relying solely on MLA endorsements.
Rahul and Priyanka received numerous emails, some referencing Priyanka’s Lok Sabha constituency in Wayanad, which has a significant IUML voter base. The momentum in favor of Satheesan proved compelling. As Rahul continued consultations with more state colleagues, the tide seemed to turn in favor of Satheesan, bolstered by efforts from Sudheeran, K Muraleedharan, and, according to insider accounts, veteran AK Antony and Priyanka Gandhi.
