Who will be Keralam CM? Congress keeps suspense alive amid factional lobbying

The Congress has not yet named its chief ministerial choice for Keralam, even after a high-level meeting in Delhi on Saturday that brought together party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, AICC Keralam in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, and the leading contenders.

The delay comes after the Congress-led United Democratic Front won 102 of the 140 seats in the Assembly, while the Left Democratic Front secured 35 and the BJP three.

Also Read | Will TVK enter INDIA bloc? Vijay-Rahul bonhomie steals attention at Tamil Nadu swearing-in ceremony

Three names, one chair, no decision yet

Senior Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal, V.D. Satheesan, and Ramesh Chennithala have emerged as the main names in contention.

The meeting at Kharge’s residence lasted more than three hours, and observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik also took part in the discussions. Dasmunshi said the final call would come from the central leadership and told reporters, “Very soon, in due time, we will get our final decision from our high command.”

Also Read | NCRB report 2024: India recorded one rape every 18 minutes, nearly 50 crimes against women every hour

The lobby war spills from Delhi into Keralam

The uncertainty has also triggered visible factional activity in Keralam and Delhi.

Supporters of Venugopal and Satheesan have put up posters and banners in Thiruvananthapuram and outside Kharge’s residence, while a group of university students in Delhi gathered late at night to back Satheesan’s claim.

After the meeting, Chennithala stated that "everyone expressed their views" and that "all will accept whatever the high command decides."

Internal fireworks draw a warning from the top

According to sources cited by The New Indian Express, Rahul Gandhi expressed displeasure over the open lobbying and urged leaders to rein in their supporters.

The report said he was unhappy that the contest had begun almost immediately after the results and warned that the internal rift was damaging the party’s mandate.

Dasmunshi later said Kharge and Rahul would take the final decision, adding that May 23 was the deadline for government formation.