The majority of the 21 newly elected Congress MLAs from the Malabar region appear to have thrown their weight behind All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, MP, for the Kerala Chief Minister’s post.

Of the five MLAs-elect from Kozhikode, four each from Malappuram and Palakkad, three each from Kannur and Wayanad, and two from Kasaragod, almost all are said to support Mr. Venugopal. They reportedly proposed his name to AICC observers during one-on-one meetings held the other day. Only a few are learnt to have rallied behind Ramesh Chennithala and V.D. Satheesan for the top post. The support of the majority bloc has emerged as a powerful lobby for Mr. Venugopal in the three-cornered race for the Chief Minister post.

However, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) with 22 seats, including 21 in Malabar alone, has reportedly thrown its weight behind Mr. Satheesan.

Though the IUML has not publicly supported any candidate for the Chief Minister post, its leadership has repeatedly maintained that the decision rests with the Congress and would be shaped by “people’s sentiments.”  

On Thursday, IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty and other leaders met AICC observers. Mr. Kunhalikutty later told mediapersons that the Muslim League’s opinion had been conveyed to the observers, but refused to divulge further details.

Before the election results were declared on May 4, Mr. Kunhalikutty had underscored that the decision regarding Chief Minister rested with the Congress and would be guided by “people’s sentiments.” IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal had also noted that the Congress high command would take a call keeping in mind the “people’s sentiment.”