Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress party is poised to resolve the ongoing leadership uncertainty in Kerala, with an official announcement for the Chief Minister nominee expected either late tonight or by Wednesday morning. Former state Congress chief K Muraleedharan provided this update on Tuesday after a series of high-stakes, one-on-one discussions with Rahul Gandhi at Sonia Gandhi’s residence, located at 10 Janpath. The decision-making process has moved into its final stage as the party leadership seeks to balance the aspirations of its heavyweights with the practicalities of governing a state that recently delivered a resounding mandate to the United Democratic Front (UDF).
The selection process has been nothing short of exhaustive, involving a wide array of party stalwarts from across the Kerala political spectrum. Rahul Gandhi’s schedule included meetings with former state unit chiefs M M Hassan and K Sudhakaran, as well as Kerala Congress Disciplinary Committee head Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. Further input is being sought from V M Sudheeran and Mullapally Ramachandran to ensure no stone is left unturned. A final round of consultations is slated to occur once Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge returns from Bengaluru this evening, which will likely be the concluding act before a name is presented to the public.
Three prominent figures remain at the centre of this political drama: Ramesh Chennithala, V D Satheesan, and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal. Each leader represents a different facet of the party’s strength in the region, and the central leadership is carefully weighing their merits against the feedback gathered by observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik. Muraleedharan notably emphasized that the final choice will not be a simple tally of MLA votes. Instead, the party is taking a more holistic approach, considering the perspectives of UDF allies and the general public to ensure the new leader enjoys broad-based favour across the state.
The urgency of this decision is underscored by the UDF’s impressive victory on May 4, where the coalition secured 102 out of 140 seats—a powerful two-thirds majority. Within this successful alliance, the Congress holds a dominant position with 63 seats, bolstered by the Indian Union Muslim League’s 22, the Kerala Congress’s eight, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party’s three. While the wait has been long enough to cause some restlessness among supporters, the high command appears determined to prioritize stability and consensus over a hasty appointment, ensuring the next government starts its term on solid ground.
