Ten days post the Assembly election results, Congress is all set to reveal the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Thursday. The Congress high command hinted at the nearing end of the wait for the state’s next Chief Minister. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh confirmed the completion of discussions authorized by the Congress Legislative Party, leading to the announcement scheduled for Thursday.
The statement from Ramesh created ripples in Kerala, where political uncertainty has been escalating since the Congress-led UDF’s decisive victory over the decade-old Left government. Behind the scenes, intense consultations involving Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjuna Kharge, and A. K. Antony took place as the leadership assessed the claims of the three main contenders – V. D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K. C. Venugopal.
As deliberations continued in Delhi, political tension mounted in Kerala. Supporters gathered at Satheesan’s residence in Aluva, closely monitoring developments from the national capital. Similarly, at Chennithala’s residence in the state capital, supporters awaited the final decision, emphasizing the leader’s experience and organizational support. Notably, Venugopal’s absence from key consultations raised intrigue, as discussions around his candidacy intensified.
While supporters remained active, Venugopal stayed in Delhi, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes discussions. Additionally, Lok Sabha MP Kodikunnil Suresh’s visit to Antony’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram late in the evening fueled further speculation about potential interventions. After a period of suspense, Kerala anticipates the Congress high command’s announcement of the 13th Chief Minister.
