Frustration is mounting among partners of the United Democratic Front (UDF) over the delay in naming the Chief Minister to head the next government in Kerala, even nine days after the alliance’s historic victory in the Assembly elections.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest constituent in the front, convened an emergency meeting at Panakkad to discuss cabinet formation and ministerial representation. Party leaders expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged indecision and warned that the delay in announcing the Chief Minister could affect the morale of the victorious UDF alliance.
The meeting also reportedly backed the candidature of V. D. Satheesan for the Chief Minister’s post.
The uncertainty has begun creating unease at the grassroots level, with reports of muted victory celebrations and warnings to newly elected MLAs to avoid public events amid growing voter resentment. The deadlock over the Chief Minister’s post has also triggered public anger against the senior leadership of the Indian National Congress, reflected in posters that appeared in several public places.
In Wayanad, posters surfaced near the District Congress Committee office warning Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra against elevating K. C. Venugopal as Chief Minister.
“Kerala will never forgive you for this blunder,” read one poster, while another warned that “Wayanad will be the next Amethi if high command backs Venugopal,” referring to Rahul Gandhi’s electoral defeat in Amethi in 2019.
The posters also cautioned the Gandhi siblings to “forget Wayanad,” claiming they would not win from the constituency again. Wayanad is currently represented in Parliament by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, while Rahul Gandhi had earlier represented the constituency.
Some posters further criticised Venugopal, describing him as “nothing more than a bag carrier of Rahul,” and warned that protests would intensify if the party leadership backed his candidature.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) also attacked the UDF for failing to honour the people’s mandate, alleging that “back-door” administrative decisions, including employee transfers, were taking place even before the formal formation of the new government.
The Congress-led UDF secured a commanding 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, marking a historic comeback after a decade in opposition, while reducing the LDF to just 35 seats.
e.o.m.
Published on May 13, 2026