As far as the political deadlock in Kerala was concerned, there were no indications of any improvement over the weekend, since the Congress party high command had postponed making an announcement regarding the new chief minister of the state. Even after extensive discussions in New Delhi, the party leadership still seems to be walking on a tight rope, trying to find a way to balance three highly formidable candidates vying for the coveted post: V.D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K.C. Venugopal.
The postponement follows the UDF’s victory in the 2026 assembly elections, during which the Congress won 63 seats. The intended week of jubilation seems to have taken a serious turn as the various factions of the Congress try to lobby hard in order to ensure that the final decision goes in their favor.
Three-way Competition
There are effectively three teams competing against one another in this race:
- V.D. Satheesan: The current Leader of the Opposition reportedly led a strong, issue-based campaign, and was thus successful in bringing about the end of the LDF’s ten-year tenure.
- Ramesh Chennithala: A seasoned politician with a rich background within the organization, the team backing Chennithala insists on his seniority and previous experience as Home Minister. They point out that only Chennithala can guide the new coalition government.
- K.C. Venugopal: AICC General Secretary (Organization), K.C. Venugopal is perceived as the “High Command’s man.” Sources claim that he receives substantial support among the freshly elected MLAs. However, his appointment is likely to pose problems since he did not compete in the assembly elections.
Pressure from the Top
Sources reveal that on Sunday, AICC observers, namely Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, reported their findings to the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. In spite of a “leaked” list indicating overwhelming support for K.C. Venugopal, the high command opted for silence in order to prevent an open quarrel.
However, “poster wars” have already broken out in Thiruvananthapuram, compelling the high command to order the state cadre not to indulge in public posturing. Given that UDF allies, such as the IUML, express concerns regarding the delay, the High Command to deliver a verdict before the week’s end.
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