The continuing impasse over Kerala’s Chief Ministerial choice, coupled with intense lobbying for the top Cabinet post by camps backing three contenders, has triggered criticism against several Congress leaders.

Among those facing the sharpest scrutiny is Shafi Parambil, whose hard-fought electoral victories in Palakkad and Vadakara had earned him considerable public goodwill and a strong support base.

Mr. Parambil has come under criticism on social media, particularly from sections in Malabar, over his perceived support for Congress national general secretary K.C. Venugopal as a chief ministerial contender. A significant share of the backlash is reported to be from supporters of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

While Congress leaders such as V.K. Sreekandan and A. Thankappan, District Congress Committee president, have sought to dismiss the criticism as routine internal dissent, political observers see it as reflecting growing disorientation within the Congress in Kerala.

‘Nothing unusual’

“It is a common thing. There is nothing unusual about people criticising Congress leaders,” said Mr. Sreekandan, adding that he was not aware of the online campaign against Mr. Parambil as his phone had reportedly been jammed and his WhatsApp account blocked.

Mr. Parambil’s shift towards supporting Mr. Venugopal reportedly began months before the Assembly polls. He was, however, not alone in this political realignment. Since the Palakkad Assembly byelection in 2024, necessitated by his election to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara, similar alignments have been visible within the party.

Along with Mr. Parambil, several young leaders, including former Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, V.T. Balram and Sumesh Achuthan were also seen drawing closer to Mr. Venugopal, who is widely regarded as a close aide of national leader Rahul Gandhi.

This perceived shift is said to have influenced the firm stance taken by UDF chairperson V.D. Satheesan against Mr. Mamkootathil when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.

Most Congress MLAs-elect in Kerala are currently seen aligning with Mr. Venugopal, largely due to his influence within the party’s national leadership and his role in mobilising election funds. He is also said to have helped secure financial support for Congress candidates during the polls.

‘Immediate gratitude’

“As of now, the support among the newly elected MLAs is more an expression of immediate gratitude. But it may not endure,” said a senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He further suggested that the backlash against Mr. Parambil should be seen alongside criticism directed at national leaders Mr. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in Wayanad, where they were criticised over delays in deciding on the chief ministerial candidate.

However, despite the preferences of many newly elected Congress legislators, key UDF constituents such as the IUML, Kerala Congress and the Revolutionary Socialist Party are said to continue backing Mr. Satheesan.