Congress Yet to Finalise Kerala Chief Minister as Internal Contest Intensifies
Mangalore Today News Network
Thiruvananthapuram, May 10, 2026: Nearly a week after the Kerala Assembly election results were declared, the Congress is yet to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate amid an internal tussle among senior leaders.
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal is said to be leading the race for the top post, followed by Congress Legislative Party leader V.D. Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Sudhakaran is also considered a contender.
K.C. Venugopal and V.D. Satheesan
The Congress high command has initiated consultations with MLAs and state leaders through observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, who were sent to Kerala following the election results.
According to reports submitted to the party leadership, a majority of Congress MLAs are backing Venugopal, who is also believed to have the support of senior leader Rahul Gandhi. However, Satheesan continues to enjoy significant support among party workers and sections of the public.
Supporters of Satheesan have been holding rallies across Kerala demanding that he be appointed Chief Minister, though the Congress central leadership reportedly asked him to discourage such demonstrations.
The leadership faces additional pressure from allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF). In the 140-member Assembly, the UDF secured 102 seats, of which the Congress won 63 and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) secured 22 seats. Other allies account for the remaining seats.
UDF allies have argued that Satheesan led the opposition campaign against the ruling Left Democratic Front and therefore has a strong claim to the Chief Minister’s post.
With consultations reaching a deadlock, the Congress leadership has summoned senior Kerala leaders to Delhi for further discussions. Sonia Gandhi, A.K. Antony, and UDF allies are also expected to be consulted before a final decision is taken.
Political observers note that appointing Venugopal as Chief Minister would trigger two by-elections, as he currently represents Alappuzha in the Lok Sabha and would need to contest an Assembly seat.
Speculation is also rife that Rahul Gandhi may consider Venugopal for a larger organisational role in the Congress, especially with party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s term ending next year.
The Congress is also weighing the political implications in constituencies such as Wayanad, represented by Priyanka Gandhi, where Muslim voters form a significant portion of the electorate, making the IUML’s stance crucial.
With multiple political and organisational factors at play, the Congress high command is reportedly cautious about making a hurried decision. The term of the current Kerala Legislative Assembly runs until May 23, giving the party additional time to finalise its choice.