Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The streets of Kerala are lined with posters — not of rival parties, but of rivals within the same party for the chief ministerial post. “Kerala wants KC,” says one poster, while the other next to it has an image of VD Satheesan with caption “natural choice”. Almost after the Kerala assembly election results were announced, when UDF stormed back to power winning 102 seats, the excitement has faded as the CM face remains faceless.Congress’s delay in picking a name for the top post has irked its allies too, as the factions within the party remain divided over who should be their leader. Meanwhile, former KPCC presidents and senior party leaders have been called to New Delhi. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and senior leader AK Antony are expected to play a key role in the decision-making process. KPCC chief Sunny Joseph and AICC general secretary in charge of the southern state, Deepa Dasmunsi, are also attended the meeting.Congress leaders in Thiruvananthapuram said a final decision on the leadership issue is likely after Mallikarjun Kharge holds discussions with senior party leader Sonia Gandhi. Sources also suggested that the party high command is waiting for tensions in Kerala to ease before making any formal announcement, following last week’s protests and poster campaigns by supporters of Satheesan and Venugopal.It is clear that no matter what the high command decides, it is going to upset a part of the United Democratic Front (UDF), that too at a time when the grand old party is facing back to back defeats in at the Centre and the states.
IUML demands a name, warns of ‘consequences’
The Indian Union Muslim League, a key ally in the Congress-led UDF, voiced strong displeasure over the continued delay in naming Kerala’s next chief minister, cautioning that prolonged uncertainty could carry political consequences. The criticism came amid ongoing suspense within the Congress over the leadership decision, nearly a week after the UDF’s sweeping victory in the April 9 assembly elections. IUML Malappuram district general secretary P Abdul Hameed said the delay had already led to frustration among party workers as well as the public.“The decision has already been delayed. If it is prolonged further, there will be repercussions. We hope the AICC leadership realises this,” PTI quoted him saying.“There is dissatisfaction everywhere. People are raising only this issue wherever we go, including at marriage functions and funerals,” he added.
When is the announcement expected?
Congress leader K Muraleedharan said that the decision might be announced within 48 hours. “I think within 48 hours, the decision will come. Congress is a democratic party, so they will apply all democratic methods – discuss with MLAs, coalition partners, and tomorrow they will discuss with former PCC Presidents…a new generation is coming up for the CM position, so automatically there will be disputes, discussions, its natural,” he said.Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who is also a contender for the top post, said that the meeting has concluded. “The meeting concluded yesterday… The decision will be taken by the Congress High Command; we are all awaiting that decision. Whatever decision the High Command takes, we will accept,” he said.
Congress’ long history of leadership deadlocks
The Congress has a long history of prolonged consultations and internal lobbying before finalising leadership choices, especially after major electoral victories. A prominent example was seen after the party’s win in Karnataka in 2023, when intense competition emerged between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post. After days of deliberations and negotiations, the party leadership arrived at a compromise formula, appointing Siddaramaiah as chief minister while Shivakumar was made deputy chief minister.Similar uncertainty had played out in 2018 following Congress victories in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Madhya Pradesh, both Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia were in contention for the top post, while in Rajasthan, the leadership race was between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. The deadlock was eventually resolved after several rounds of discussions, with Kamal Nath taking charge in Madhya Pradesh and Gehlot becoming chief minister in Rajasthan, while Pilot was accommodated as deputy chief minister.
