Kerala CM suspense enters day 7 as Congress infighting, poster war intensify

A week after the Kerala Assembly election results, the Congress is yet to name its chief ministerial pick, making it the only state among those that recently went to the polls where government formation remains unresolved.

The delay has triggered intense speculation and exposed internal divisions within the party, with the Congress high command still weighing its options among top contenders K C Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala and V D Satheesan.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front secured a sweeping mandate with 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, but the leadership tussle has overshadowed celebrations.

High command deliberations intensify

Senior party leaders met in Delhi on Saturday for a marathon discussion at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The meeting was attended by Rahul Gandhi, Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, along with the chief ministerial hopefuls and party observers.

Despite the discussions, no announcement followed, though sources indicate a decision could come soon.

According to party insiders, a majority of Congress MLAs are backing Venugopal, while Satheesan is seen as enjoying wider public support.

The deadlock appears to centre on whether the final choice should reflect legislative backing or broader political appeal.

Posters, public displays expose factional tensions

The leadership battle has spilled into public view, with posters and banners supporting rival candidates appearing in both New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Supporters of Satheesan reportedly gathered to welcome him in Delhi, while posters backing Venugopal surfaced outside Kharge’s residence.

Seeking to cool tensions, Satheesan urged supporters to halt demonstrations and social media campaigns.

“Such campaigns hurt Congress workers and the people who voted for us,” he said.

Venugopal echoed the appeal, saying the party must focus on delivering governance after securing a strong public mandate.

Dasmunshi said all Congress MLAs had signed a one-line resolution authorising the high command to make the final decision.

Opposition attacks Congress over delay

The prolonged uncertainty has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar mocked the situation with a sarcastic response to social media speculation surrounding Venugopal’s candidature.

Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader K K Shailaja described the Congress infighting as a “musical chair game” that disrespects the people’s mandate.

She warned that continued indecision could undermine governance even before the new administration takes office.

Coalition arithmetic matters

The Congress holds 63 seats in the Assembly, making alliance partners crucial to the final leadership choice.

The Indian Union Muslim League won 22 seats, while the Kerala Congress secured eight and the Revolutionary Socialist Party won three.

With the UDF commanding more than a two-thirds majority, the focus now remains squarely on who will be chosen to lead Kerala’s next government.