Even eight days after the Assembly election results, Kerala has not got its new Chief Minister, as the Congress-led United Progressive Front (UDF), which
defeated Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in recently concluded elections, is facing a Karnataka-like situation. Kerala is the only state, out of the four and one Union Territory (UT), where there is no clarity over who would lead the state next, unlike West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry, as all these three states and one UT, have a clear road ahead. In fact, the swearing-in of new CMs in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, have already taken place and one is scheduled for today in Assam of Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Congress, which has emerged as the single largest party in the state with 63 seats, ending the 10-year rule of the Left in Kerala, has been embroiled in a Karnataka-like situation because of multiple CM contenders. The 'Grand Old Party' has been holding consultations and negotiations involving all the members of the top leadership and CM contenders, but has not reached to any conclusion so far, even as the wait is growing anxiety among the party’s state leaders and workers.
Who Are The Three CM Contenders in Kerala?
KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan, and Chennithala are being considered to be the frontrunners in the race for the CM's post.
Among these, VD Satheesan has appeared to be one of the most adamant and has reportedly conveyed his stand to the party that no post other than the Chief Minister is acceptable to him.
Amid this developing situation, the Congress high command has called all the ex-KPCC presidents to take their views on Tuesday.
Sources have said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has extended support to Satheesan and spoken to Kharge. Priyanka has also conveyed the situation on the ground to the high command.
It is to be mentioned that Priyanka Gandhi is an MP from Wayanad, where there is a lot of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) support for her, therefore, she doesn’t want to upset the league.
Congress Infighting in Kerala Exposed, Says CPI(M) Leader MA Baby
As Congress takes time to decide its Chief Minister for Kerala, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby took a swipe at the UDF over the ongoing tussle for leadership positions, saying the coalition's internal divisions had been "thoroughly exposed".
Talking to PTI Videos, Baby said a decision on the name of the leader of opposition (LoP) in Kerala would be decided by the CPI(M)'s state unit at an appropriate time.
"In fact, we need to discuss the LoP in Kerala when there is some guarantee that there is going to be a chief minister and the Assembly session is being convened," the CPI(M) general secretary said.
"As you all know, there is a race going on within the Congress and the UDF as to who should be chosen as the chief minister. So, there is no hurry for the opposition to discuss and decide about the leader of the opposition," Baby added.
He said the issue would be discussed in Kerala and "a proper decision" would be taken "at the right time".
Taking a dig at the Congress over the leadership race, Baby said the developments reflected a "very strange situation" within the party.
"They claim that this is a United Democratic Front, UDF; but there is no unity at the top level of the leading party of the UDF, which is the Congress," he said.
Baby also mocked the frequent consultations between Kerala and Delhi amid the leadership discussions.
"Dozens of people are flying from Kerala to Delhi and back to Thiruvananthapuram. So, it is benefiting only various airlines. People are not having any benefit," he said.
He also claimed that the Congress-led governments in the state had often witnessed destabilisation arising from factional rivalries.
With inputs from PTI
