The Congress-led UDF alliance in Kerala is struggling to select a Chief Minister. A series of meetings are underway within the Congress party. Meanwhile, it has emerged that Rahul Gandhi wants to choose KC Venugopal for the post of Chief Minister. According to sources, party workers and leaders will be persuaded over the next two days to support Venugopal for the top post. Currently, Venugopal is the Member of Parliament from Alappuzha, Kerala.
According to sources, Rahul Gandhi met with Venugopal separately before the official meeting of Congress leaders at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi. It is reported that posters mocking KC Venugopal were put up with the support of another senior party leader in Kerala, VD Sathesan. According to sources, when Sathesan arrived at the meeting, Rahul Gandhi inquired about the allegations against him. Satheesan admitted that he was opposed to Venugopal becoming Chief Minister.
Sources stated that Satheesan argued that, as Congress General Secretary, Venugopal pressured MLAs to form separate factions and groups. Satheesan, on his part, clarified that he never sought to form factions for his own personal gain, and that he worked with everyone while serving as Leader of the Opposition in Kerala.
Sources stated that Satheesan told the Congress leadership that if the party had not chosen Venugopal’s suggested candidates in Nenmara, Kazhakootam, Vadakkanchery, Nedumangad, and Cherthala, the party could have won even more seats. However, Venugopal is already ahead of others in the CM race. However, the Congress now has to decide whether to choose a central leader like Venugopal or a local leader with grassroots support.
In addition to K.C. Venugopal, Satishan and Ramesh Chennithala are also contenders for the Chief Minister’s post. Both leaders wield considerable influence in Kerala. Satishan also has the support of the IUML, an ally of the Congress party, for the Chief Minister’s post. This has sparked a poster war in Kerala, with activists taking to the streets to protest in support of their leader.
The IUML holds 22 seats, so its opinion will matter.
The Kerala Congress (KEC) won eight seats, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) secured three.
The UDF won a total of 102 seats, exceeding a two-thirds majority.
Laid the foundation for ousting the LDF from power
Kerala Congress leaders have said that Satishan played a key role as the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Kerala Assembly and laid the foundation for ousting the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) from power.