Congress’s Chief Minister-designate for Kerala V.D. Satheesan appeared to extend an olive branch to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal, MP, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, who were in the reckoning for the top post since the announcement of the election results on May 4. 

Mr. Satheesan termed Mr. Chennithala, who was the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) campaign committee chairperson, as “his leader, close friend and beloved party compatriot”. He also appeared to place on record Mr. Venugopal’s “immense contribution to the UDF’s historic win”. 

Mr. Satheesan attributed the 10-day period of uncertainty that plagued Congress’s Chief Minister selection process to the “galaxy of leaders immensely qualified for the post”. He said the “glut of choices” in front of the high command warranted multiple consultations with the Congress’s MLA-elects, senior leaders, and also MPs.

‘No loss of face’

“Other governing parties have taken more time to form the government. There is no loss of face for the Congress, as alleged by those lacking a sense of history. Choosing the Chief Minister designate was a laborious and crucial task for the high command,” he added. Mr. Satheesan said the Congress leadership will decide the party’s Ministers. “The party will consult me. But the high command will have the final say,” he added. 

Mr. Sathesan said the UDF would fast-track the formation of the government. “The Congress parliamentary party is meeting at the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex soon. It will seek an appointment with Governor Rajendra Arelerkar at the earliest for staking the UDF’s claim to form the government,” he said. 

Mr. Satheesan said he “dedicated” his post to “the people of Kerala” and promised the State a “new era” of progress and development. “Team UDF has a lot of promises to keep”. Mr. Satheesan also singled out the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, IUML’s national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty and Kerala Congress leader P.J. Joseph for their “unflinching support”.