Congress leader K. Muraleedharan on Friday (May 15, 2026) said senior leader Ramesh Chennithala should be included in the Kerala Cabinet, adding that the party leadership is in touch with him.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Sreekrishna temple here, Mr. Muraleedharan said V.D. Satheesan was chosen for the Chief Minister’s post after wide consultations with Congress MLAs, MPs and senior leaders, including former KPCC presidents.

“There was a clear public sentiment in favour of Mr. Satheesan as Chief Minister even before the elections. People in my constituency continued to express their support for him after the polls. Considering these factors, the final decision was made,” he said.

On Mr. Chennithala’s Cabinet entry, he said the high command would take a decision after discussions with him. He described Mr. Chennithala as a disciplined Congressman who has always accepted party decisions.

“I understand that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have spoken to him. The Cabinet needs a person like him,” he added.

Rejecting allegations that Mr. Satheesan’s selection was influenced by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Mr. Muraleedharan said it was a narrative pushed by the CPI(M), which could not accept its electoral defeat.

He also took a swipe at critics, saying leaders who had “secretly” approached the Panakkad family were now blaming the Congress, and added that the BJP is unlikely to gain ground in Kerala.

Mr. Muraleedharan said the Congress remains a democratic party where any differences over ministerial selection would ultimately be resolved by the high command and accepted by all.

He also clarified that he has never demanded a ministerial berth.

On Pinarayi Vijayan becoming the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Muraleedharan said it would benefit the UDF.

“When he was Chief Minister, we won 102 seats. If he becomes the Leader of the Opposition, we will sweep all the Assembly seats. But we always believe in having a strong Opposition,” he said. Mr. Muraleedharan later paid floral tribute at the memorials of parents – K. Karunakaran and Kalyanikutty Amma – at Murali Mandiram, Punkunnam, Thrissur.