The suspense and speculation over who would be the next chief minister of Kerala continues with the delay in the decision by the Congress irking key UDF
constituent IUML, which warned that prolonged uncertainty on the matter could have political repercussions. To break the deadlock, sources said, the top leadership has now decided to hold discussions with former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents before finalising the chief ministerial candidate. Those who have been called by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to Delhi for discussions, likely on Tuesday, include M M Hassan, V M Sudheeran, Mullapally Ramachandran and K Muraleedharan, besides veteran leader and Kannur Lok Sabha MP K Sudhakaran, sources said. Discussions would also be held with former defence minister and party veteran A K Antony, who served as the KPCC president between 1996 and 2001. Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will take the final call on the new Kerala chief minister, which is likely to be finalised in a day or two, the sources said.
Kerala CM frontrunners: Who is more popular in the race?
Three senior leaders – ex-KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala, AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and leader of opposition in the outgoing Assembly, V D Satheesan – have emerged as frontrunners for the top job in the southern state.
While Venugopal enjoys the support of Rahul Gandhi and the top Congress leadership, as well as the backing of more than 40 newly elected MLAs, Satheesan is popular among the party workers in Kerala. Sources have also revealed that he has the backing of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
There have been demonstrations in Kerala for making Satheesan the chief minister, which some feel may have gone against him. The high command is waiting for the political atmosphere in Kerala, which witnessed demonstrations and poster wars between the supporters of Satheesan and Venugopal last week, to calm down before making an announcement, party leaders in Thiruvananthapuram indicated.
"I think a decision will be made within 48 hours. Congress is a democratic party, so it will apply all democratic methods, including discussions with MLAs and coalition partners. Tomorrow, there will be discussions with former KPCC presidents. As a new generation emerges, disputes and discussions will naturally occur," Muraleedharan said in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Congress leadership had earlier sent two senior observers – Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik – to speak to each of the new MLAs in Kerala and know their preference for the chief minister's post.
A majority of them had come out in support of Venugopal.
The Congress has 63 MLAs in the 140-member Kerala Assembly. Its allies Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has 22, Kerala Congress (KEC) has eight and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) three. The UDF has won a total of 102 seats, which is more than a two-thirds majority.
