Kerala CM puzzle deepens as Congress high command keeps all guessing

NEW DELHI: Eight days after the Congress-led UDF stormed to power with a spectacular 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the alliance still finds itself without a captain at the helm.

What was expected to be a swift and celebratory transition of power has instead turned into a gripping political suspense drama, with the Congress high command yet to reveal its choice for the coveted chief minister’s chair.

Even as celebrations continue across Kerala over the UDF’s emphatic victory, the corridors of power in Delhi remain abuzz with intense lobbying, strategic calculations and closed-door consultations.

On Tuesday, the suspense is set to deepen further with another crucial round of discussions after the party leadership summoned former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president and senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan for consultations.

As things stand now, AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal appears to enjoy the backing of a majority among the Congress’ 63 legislators.

He is followed by veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala and outgoing Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan.

However, the emergence of Venugopal as a serious contender has triggered a wave of resentment among sections of Congress workers and supporters in Kerala.

Many within the party’s grassroots openly argue that the post rightfully belongs to Satheesan, whose aggressive opposition politics kept the second Pinarayi Vijayan government under relentless pressure over the past five years.