NEW DELHI: As the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) prepares to form the next government in Kerala after a decade-long hiatus, attention has turned to the alliance's choice for chief minister. The UDF has so far refrained from revealing the name of its chief ministerial candidate, leaving room for speculation and internal discussions.
Decision-Making Process
Congress MP K Suresh outlined the procedure, stating, "Our elected MLAs will convene in Thiruvananthapuram for a Legislature Party meeting and consult with coalition partners. Subsequently, a UDF meeting will be called. The final decision rests with the Congress high command." This cautious approach reflects the party's desire to maintain unity and avoid premature announcements.
Key Contenders for the Top Post
While party leaders have not officially proposed any names, several factions within the Congress have voiced support for specific candidates. The frontrunners include:
- VD Satheesan: The current Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, Satheesan secured a victory from Paravur against LDF candidate ET Taisaon Master. Expressing gratitude, he said, "Thanks to the people who gave a resounding victory to Team UDF. Gratitude to Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and others who carried out a strong campaign across Kerala. When I assumed office as the Leader of the Opposition, I had promised to bring the UDF back with a brilliant victory in Kerala. I have been able to keep that promise."
- KC Venugopal: Representing the Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency, Venugopal's name has been circulated as a potential CM face. Senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar commented that if Venugopal aspires to become chief minister, he must follow the required party process. Speaking to a television channel in Delhi, Anwar expressed confidence in a UDF win and highlighted exit poll trends as indicators of the alliance's expected performance.
- Ramesh Chennithala: A senior Congress leader, Chennithala served as the Leader of the Opposition during Pinarayi Vijayan's first term as CM. He registered a strong win in the Haripad assembly constituency, defeating CPI candidate TT Jismon by a margin of 23,377 votes after 15 rounds of counting. According to Election Commission data, Chennithala secured 68,184 votes, accounting for 47.08% of the total votes polled. In the 2021 assembly elections, he secured 72,768 votes (48.31% vote share) with a margin of 13,666 votes. In 2016, he performed even stronger, winning 75,666 votes (51.05% vote share) with a margin of 18,605 votes.
- Shashi Tharoor: Although the Thiruvananthapuram MP may not be a popular choice within the UDF, given his perceived soft stance towards the BJP, his name cannot be ruled out. When asked about the CM face, Tharoor said, "That I don't know, only Delhi will tell you, but I can say that everyone understands that we should not delay, we should honor the confidence of the people by going ahead as quickly as possible."
Electoral Context
The UDF's return to power comes after a decade of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule under Pinarayi Vijayan. The Congress-led alliance secured a clear majority in the 140-seat Kerala assembly, with the Congress party leading in a significant number of constituencies. The final results are expected to be announced soon, with the UDF poised to form the government.
Coalition Dynamics
The UDF comprises several parties, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (M), and other smaller allies. The selection of the chief minister will require consensus among these partners, in addition to the Congress high command's approval. The party's emphasis on a unified decision underscores the need to maintain coalition harmony.
As the political landscape in Kerala shifts, all eyes are on the Congress leadership to announce its choice for the chief ministerial post. The decision will shape the state's governance and set the tone for the UDF's tenure.
