Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress party in Kerala has decided to leave the selection of the next chief minister entirely to the party high command after the UDF’s strong performance in the Assembly elections. Senior party leaders have appealed for unity within the party and warned against repeating the internal divisions and confusion that affected the Congress after the 2021 election defeat.
The decision came after a Congress Legislature Party meeting where newly elected legislators discussed the process of government formation and leadership selection. According to party sources, legislators agreed that the final decision on the chief minister’s post should be taken only by the Congress central leadership in New Delhi.
The development comes at a time when intense discussions are taking place within the Congress over who should lead the new government in Kerala. Several senior leaders are being considered for the top post, including Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal.
Senior Congress leaders reportedly stressed during the meeting that the mistakes and factional fights seen after the 2021 Assembly election should not be repeated. In 2021, the Congress faced criticism over internal disagreements and leadership confusion following its defeat to the Left Democratic Front. Party leaders now believe that unity and discipline are essential as the Congress prepares to return to power in the state.
Ramesh Chennithala recently said that the chief minister would not be decided through social media campaigns, flex boards, or public pressure. He stated clearly that only the Congress high command has the authority to make the final decision after considering all aspects of the political situation. His remarks came amid growing campaigns by supporters of different leaders across Kerala.
Meanwhile, Congress observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee are expected to hold discussions with newly elected legislators and senior leaders before submitting a report to the party leadership. The final announcement regarding the chief minister is likely to be made only after consultations with senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Political observers say the leadership issue has become sensitive because several senior leaders have strong support within the party. V D Satheesan is viewed by many party workers as the face of the Congress campaign in Kerala over the past few years. At the same time, Chennithala remains an experienced leader with strong organisational backing, while K C Venugopal is considered influential at the national level due to his close role in the central leadership.
Despite the intense speculation, senior Congress leaders have publicly tried to maintain unity. Leaders have said that once the high command makes a decision, everyone in the party will fully support it. Party insiders say the Congress leadership wants to avoid any public disagreement that could weaken the new government even before it officially takes charge.
The BJP and the LDF have both been closely watching the developments within the Congress camp. Opposition leaders have already started criticising the Congress for delaying the announcement of the chief minister’s name, claiming the party is facing internal power struggles.
However, Congress leaders insist that the consultation process is normal in a democratic party and that the final decision will be taken in a peaceful and united manner. Party workers across Kerala are now waiting for the high command’s announcement, which is expected to shape the state's political direction in the coming years.