Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Thursday came under a harsh spotlight for allegedly donning the questionable mantle of a “kingmaker” by supposedly “persuading” the Congress high command to nominate V.D. Satheesan as the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) next Chief Minister, “overlooking” other strong contenders. 

Criticism seems to be mounting in the Congress and outside that IUML’s supposedly “pro-Satheesan” stance had “compelled” the high command to take the plunge, despite a significant number of MLAs-elect backing the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal during a head count monitored by the party’s observers, Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, at the Indira Bhavan last week.

Moreover, some Congress groups reportedly felt that the IUML’s “incessant covert and overt lobbying” for Mr. Satheesan had negated Ramesh Chennithala’s chances, as he had emerged as a “compromise” candidate given his relative seniority in the party. 

The Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair appeared blunt in his criticism of the Congress, slamming the party’s high command for “capitulating” to the IUML by nominating Mr. Satheesan as Chief Minister. Addressing a press conference at the NSS headquarters at Perunna in Kottayam, Mr. Nair said: “The Congress high command broke convention and murdered democracy by overlooking the opinion of MLAs-elect and also the seniority of Mr. Chennithala. Its capitulation to the IUML is pathetic. 

SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan said Mr. Chennithala, given his seniority and experience, had expected the high command to elevate him to the post of Chief Minister. Mr. Natesan portrayed Mr. Venugopal as the architect of the UDF’s win.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s social media handles were replete with memes trolling the Congress high command for playing “second fiddle” to the IUML leadership. Former BJP State president K. Surendran said the Congress required the IUML’s imprimatur to decide its Chief Minister candidate.