The selection of the next chief minister of Kerala moved to the national capital on Friday, with key contenders V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala, along with Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph, arriving in Delhi after being summoned by the party leadership. Meanwhile, demonstrations in support of Satheesan continued across the state, even as insiders described the race as a toss-up between “intra-party support” and “public sentiment” favouring the two main aspirants.
Sources indicated that Satheesan, Ramesh, and K C Venugopal, besides Joseph, would hold discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. A decision is expected to be made by Sunday.
AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, who held a meeting with party legislators on Thursday, submitted their report to Kharge on Friday. MP Shashi Tharoor also met Kharge and shared his feedback on the leadership issue as well as the political situation in the state.
According to sources, over 80 percent of the MLAs have named Venugopal as their preferred choice for the top post, giving an edge to the AICC general secretary. However, the party will also have to factor in “public sentiment” regarding the contenders before making a final decision.
Congress brass to avoid dissonance over CM choice
In this regard, Satheesan is seen to enjoy strong public backing, with many viewing him as the bulwark who steered the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government over the past five years. Additionally, the Congress will have to consider that Venugopal becoming chief minister would result in two bypolls: the parliamentary seat he would vacate and the assembly seat he would contest.
Amid the uncertainty, another political formula is being actively discussed within Congress circles. Sources indicated that despite commanding majority support in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Venugopal could step aside in favour of Ramesh, citing his experience. This move is reportedly being explored by the Venugopal and Ramesh camps in an apparent bid to prevent Satheesan from consolidating support for the top post. They believe that Satheesan will be forced to accept this arrangement.
As pro-Satheesan demonstrations intensified across the state, KPCC president Sunny Joseph emphasised the importance of legislative support in the decision-making process. Joseph stated that the backing of MLAs carries greater significance than other factors and stressed the need for consensus among senior leaders. He also urged party leaders and workers to refrain from public campaigns and shows of strength in support of individual contenders. He noted that the AICC had directed the state leadership to initiate strict disciplinary action against those violating party directives. Satheesan also urged restraint in a social media post.
The AICC observers are understood to have informed the high command that the political situation in the state remains sensitive and that a quick decision must be taken. They also pitched for factoring in the views of alliance partners.
Venugopal’s role in Congress organisation
Meanwhile, questions have arisen over whether Rahul Gandhi can spare Venugopal from the post of AICC general secretary (organisation), a role in which he has, over the past few years, emerged as Rahul’s key point person for party affairs. Besides overseeing organisational matters, Venugopal also manages the Congress’s floor coordination in Parliament and liaises with INDIA bloc allies. His importance is further underlined by the fact that he chairs the influential Public Accounts Committee, a position usually held by the opposition leader.
The Congress brass will also seek to convince the contenders to accept the final choice, as it does not want any dissonance among disappointed leaders to dampen the euphoria of the UDF’s massive victory.
