The Congress is expected to announce its chief ministerial pick in Kerala on Thursday (May 14, 2026). The party general secretary, Jairam Ramesh, on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) said the decision on this will be announced on Thursday, as the party high command has completed all discussions in this regard.
This decision came after an almost 40-minute meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the latter’s residence. The suspense over the party’s pick would end 10 days after the results of the assembly elections were declared.
Also read: Shafi Parambil in crossfire as Kerala Chief Minister impasse triggers factional fault lines in Congress
On Wednesday, the party supporters were crowded in front of the residences of the three top contenders for the post, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala in Alappuzha, and former Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan at Paravur in Ernakulam.
Meanwhile, the “raging group war” in the Congress over the top post threatened to spill over into the high command’s backyard. In Perumbavoor, Ernakulam, Congress workers mobbed KPCC vice president Benny Behanan, demanding that the party put an end to the uncertainty. At Kottoor in Kozhikode, members of the Congress ward committee threatened to quit en masse if the high command pushed ahead with Mr. Venugopal’s candidature.
Also read: IUML growing restive over Congress delaying CM decision
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) had won 102 seats in the Kerala Assembly polls, pushing the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) to the second position.
May 14, 2026 10:27
Thangal to respond after Kerala CM announcement
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has authorised its State president, Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, to take the next course of action amid continuing uncertainty over the Congress’s delay in naming Kerala’s next Chief Minister.
A meeting of the IUML leadership held at Mr. Thangal’s residence at Panakkad near Malappuram on Wednesday morning reviewed the evolving political situation as the Congress high command remained undecided on the Chief Ministerial choice.
Thangal to respond after Kerala CM announcement
IUML leader Thangal to respond after Congress delays naming Kerala's next Chief Minister, impacting UDF's public image.
May 14, 2026 10:26
Congress MLA-elects make a beeline for Indira Bhavan
Congress’s MLA-elects from across Kerala made a beeline for the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters at the Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram for a closed-door meeting at 1 p.m. today, ahead of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) much-anticipated and somewhat long-drawn-out announcement of its pick for Kerala’s next United Democratic Front (UDF) Chief Minister.
Congress MLA-elects make a beeline for Indira Bhavan as AICC inches closer to announcing its Chief Minister pick for Kerala
Congress MLA-elects gather at Indira Bhavan as anticipation builds for AICC's announcement of Kerala's next Chief Minister.
Published - May 14, 2026 10:22 am IST
