NEW DELHI: Following a significant victory in the Kerala assembly elections, Congress has yet to finalize its chief ministerial candidate. Three senior leaders are currently in contention: V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K C Venugopal. All three were in Delhi as of Saturday, participating in meetings led by the Congress high command, with a final decision expected within 24 hours.
Before the recent elections, Congress last held power in Kerala under Oommen Chandy, who passed away in July 2024 and is a revered figure in the state’s political landscape. This week saw a controversial incident where a flex board displaying Chandy’s image alongside Venugopal’s was vandalized by opposing supporters.
Contenders for Chief Minister
V D Satheesan is viewed as the frontrunner in the race. A five-time MLA from Paravur in Ernakulam district, he has openly expressed his claim to the chief ministerial position. His leadership as the opposition leader and the support from UDF allies bolster his prospects. According to Congress leader K P Noushad, Satheesan’s contributions make him the logical choice for the role.
Ramesh Chennithala maintains a position of respect within the party due to his extensive experience. However, his leadership during the UDF’s substantial defeat in the 2021 assembly elections raises questions about selecting him after having recently replaced Satheesan as Leader of the Opposition. Chennithala’s consultations with Sonia Gandhi earlier this week underscore his continued influence, but the memory of the 2021 defeat lingers, potentially hindering his candidacy.
K C Venugopal, Congress’s general secretary for organization, is another strong contender. He enjoys the confidence of the party’s high command and is a key figure in organizational matters, closely aligned with Rahul Gandhi. Nonetheless, he did not contest in the assembly elections, leading to uncertainty regarding his candidacy. While he could potentially be appointed and later join the assembly through a bypoll, party traditions favor not having a sitting MP assume the role of chief minister.
Another name, Shashi Tharoor, has emerged in discussions but is considered more of a national figure than one deeply engaged in state affairs.
Disciplinary Actions and Protests
Amid rising tensions regarding leadership, Congress has initiated disciplinary proceedings against party members who staged public demonstrations supporting Satheesan. Notices were issued to about 15 leaders accused of defying directives from the high command. KPCC president Sunny Joseph has reportedly submitted a report to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) highlighting “serious indiscipline” among certain leaders.
Protests supporting Satheesan persisted on Saturday as Congress workers began dismantling supporting flex boards and posters at the three leaders’ request.
Next Steps
After the election results, Kerala Congress authorized the high command to decide on the chief ministerial nomination, which now rests with the AICC leadership. Satheesan, Chennithala, and KPCC president Sunny Joseph traveled to Delhi on Friday night, while Venugopal was already there. Congress observers have submitted their reports to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
On Saturday, Kharge and Rahul Gandhi conducted brainstorming sessions to foster consensus among the leaders and avoid alienating any factions within the party. Sonia Gandhi was also consulted during these discussions.
AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi indicated that a final decision would be made soon, emphasizing the high command’s commitment to a thorough deliberation process. “In due time, we will get our final decision by our high command,” she stated, underscoring the urgency for resolution ahead of the May 23 deadline.
