KPCC President Sunny Joseph addressing the hall as Congress Legislative Party meeting progresses with senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, VD Satheesan, AICC observers Mukul Wasnik, Ajay Maken and AICC general secretary and Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi and others at Indira Bhavan, in Thiruvananthapuram | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Congress party has to do a delicate balancing act in selecting the next Chief Minister of Kerala after the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a sweeping victory in the Assembly elections, ending a decade of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule.

The race for the Chief Minister’s post has centred around three senior leaders — VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and KC Venugopal.

Satheesan, who served as leader of the Opposition, is understood to enjoy strong backing among party workers and supporters owing to his aggressive leadership against the LDF government and his role in steering the Congress-led alliance to victory. His candidature has also received public support from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key constituent of the UDF.

Venugopal, known for his organisational influence within the party and closeness to the national leadership, is reportedly backed by a majority of newly elected MLAs, including Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph. However, his candidature faces a unique challenge as he did not contest the Assembly elections. If selected, the Congress would have to face both a parliamentary by-election and an Assembly by-election in Kerala, contests party leaders believe could prove politically suicidal, given the BJP’s clout in the recent elections.

Senior leader Chennithala, who earlier served as Home Minister, is projecting his administrative experience and seniority within the party as major strengths in the leadership contest.

As the race for leadership intensified, there are reports that Satheesan threatened to opt out from any ministerial berth if he is not considered for chief minister post. Party leaders are also concerned that omission of Satheesan from CM’s post could invite the wrath of workers and the public.

Sources within the party indicate that veteran Congress leader AK Antony is expected to play a crucial role in forging consensus among various factions before the final decision is taken by the party high command in New Delhi.

The KPCC, which held its first meeting of newly elected legislators in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, authorised the All India Congress Committee president to take the final call on the Chief Ministerial candidate. Senior AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik individually met MLAs to ascertain their preferences before preparing a report for the high command.

Former KPCC president K. Sudhakaran also submitted a letter supporting Venugopal’s candidature. At the same time, some leaders have voiced concerns over Venugopal being considered for the post after the AICC had earlier decided that sitting Members of Parliament should not contest Assembly elections.

The UDF won 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, with the Congress emerging as the single largest party by securing 63 seats. The IUML won 22 seats, significantly contributing to the alliance’s emphatic return to power.

Meanwhile, senior State functionaries of the party have reportedly been asked to remain in New Delhi ahead of a likely meeting on Sunday, where the Congress leadership is expected to finalise the next Chief Minister of Kerala.

Published on May 7, 2026