The Congress is likely to finalise the name of Kerala Chief Minister on Thursday, with two central observers scheduled to meet newly elected MLAs in Thiruvananthapuram and submit their report to the party high-command.
The meeting of the Kerala Congress Legislature Party comes amid intense lobbying by senior leaders. VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala have emerged as the principal contenders for the CM’s post.
Senior Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, appointed as observers by the party, have reached Kerala to hold consultations with MLAs. Their assessment is expected to play a decisive role in determining who will lead the government.
The leadership choice follows a decisive mandate for the Congress-led United Democratic Front, which returned to power with 102 seats in the Assembly elections.
Within the party, both camps are projecting their strengths. Chennithala’s supporters point to his seniority, organisational experience and long-standing loyalty to the party leadership while Satheesan’s backers argue that he led the campaign on the ground and was central to the alliance’s revival after its defeat in 2021.
Chennithala, who chaired the UDF campaign committee, has credited the national leadership for the victory. He has said the win was guided by Rahul Gandhi, who brought leaders together, stressed unity and shaped the campaign narrative. He also acknowledged the role of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi, adding that the party’s five key promises had strongly influenced voters and would be implemented within a set time frame.
On the other side, Satheesan’s supporters maintain that he became the public face of the Opposition and carried out the campaign across the state. They argue that his outreach and visibility helped rebuild the alliance’s connect with voters. Satheesan has avoided staking a direct claim, maintaining that the decision rests with the party leadership.
The contest has also drawn in Congress Lok Sabha MP KC Venugopal though he did not contest the election. His possible candidature has triggered a debate within sections of the party. A group describing itself as concerned citizens has written to Rahul Gandhi, stating that credit for the victory should translate into leadership responsibility, and cautioning against overlooking leaders with strong public backing.
The decision may be further shaped by Kerala’s political realities, where social and community factors often influence leadership choices. Both Satheesan and Chennithala belong to the Nair community, adding another layer to the internal calculations.
