A poster projecting Congress leader VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala seen near Cliff House Road at Nanthancode in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. | Photo credit: Nirmal Harindran
The Congress Legislature Party, which met in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday (May 7, 2026), passed a resolution empowering the party high command to elect the next Chief Minister of Kerala, even as the three embattled leaders were engaged in hectic negotiations to secure the support of the MLAs.
At Indira Bhavan, the headquarters of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken as well as AICC General Secretary and Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi held face-to-face meetings with 63 Congress legislators to learn about their selection for the post of Chief Minister.
Following the victory of the United Democratic Front (UDF)-led Congress in the Assembly elections, a three-way battle for the post of Chief Minister has begun, with outgoing Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) and Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala in contention.
The underlying tensions within the party, which threatened to take some of the shine off the UDF’s massive victory, spilled over into the streets. Congress workers staged protests in support of Mr. Satheesan at Nettoor in Ernakulam district and also at Peravoor in Kannur, the constituency of KPCC president Sunny Joseph.
Flex boards have sprung up in various parts of the state in support of and against the three leaders. While hoardings indicating support for Mr. Venugopal were seen on the road leading to the KPCC headquarters, banners asking Mr. Venugopal not to force the election appeared outside the Alappuzha District Congress Committee office. The banners in Alappuzha were later removed by Congress workers.
The MLAs, who walked out after meeting the observers, remained tight-lipped about their choices.
Former KPCC president K. Sudhakaran, who is seen as a shot put for Mr. Venugopal, said, “We don’t just have Satheesan, we have a lot of good leaders.”
Mr. Sudhakaran, who had initially rebelled against being denied candidature before the assembly elections, was unhappy about the Kerala leadership’s stance of not allowing MPs to contest the elections.
Most of the UDF’s alliance partners, including the Indian Union Muslim League, which met AICC observers on Thursday afternoon, are believed to favor Mr Satheesan. IUML general secretary PK Kunhalikutty said the party had communicated its choice to observers.
Congress president Mathew Kuzhalnadan said earlier in the day that allies need not express their stand on the Congress Legislature Party leader. “Is the Congress taking a stand on who should become the leader of the Muslim League Legislature Party or RSP,” he asked.
Kerala Congress (Joseph) president PJ Joseph said a decision should be taken keeping in mind “public sentiment” and also that a sitting MLA should become the chief minister, indicating their support for Mr Satheesan.
Revolutionary Socialist Party State Secretary Shibu Baby John, who expressed hope that the new government would be sworn in without much delay, said the party had not named any.
Before the meeting with the observers, Mr. Satheesan’s supporters were learned to have raised a demand that Ms. Dasmunsi could not attend the meeting. However, this request was not taken into account. The observers will provide the views of MLAs, MPs and alliance partners to the high command, which is expected to take a final call after holding talks with the three embattled leaders.
Mr. Venugopal claims the support of most Congress MLAs, but according to Congress sources, Mr. Satheesan is adamant that he would choose not to be part of the ministry if he is not given the chief minister’s post. He is of the view that more than the support of MLAs and MPs, the views of allies and public sentiments should be considered.
Mr. Maken and Mr. Wasnik told the media that they would take the report immediately to the high command and a decision would be made soon.
Published – 07 May 2026 22:28 IST
