NEW DELHI: The Congress party has officially picked VD Satheesan as its candidate for the post of Kerala chief minister, ending days of speculation and intense negotiations. The announcement was made on Thursday, more than a week after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) swept back to power in Kerala, defeating the incumbent Left Democratic Front (LDF) by a massive margin.
Landslide mandate for UDF
The UDF secured a decisive mandate on May 4, winning 102 of the 140 seats in the Kerala assembly. The Congress emerged as the single largest party within the alliance, bagging 63 seats. This resounding victory marked the end of the LDF's second consecutive term in office and reflected strong public support for the Congress-led coalition.
Intense backroom consultations
The selection of VD Satheesan came after days of extensive backroom consultations in Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi. The Congress high command weighed competing claims from three senior leaders: VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala. The delay in announcing the chief ministerial candidate became a political story in itself, drawing attention and speculation from media and political observers.
VD Satheesan, a seasoned politician and former opposition leader, emerged as the consensus candidate. His candidacy is seen as a unifying choice that balances regional and national interests within the party. The announcement is expected to strengthen the Congress's position in Kerala as it prepares to form a new government.
