Kerala CM face decision likely today or Sunday, says K Muraleedharan amid Congress talks

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress high command is expected to announce the next Chief Minister of Kerala by Saturday evening or Sunday after final consultations with MLAs and United Democratic Front (UDF) allies following the alliance’s massive Assembly election victory. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan said the leadership decision would be based on internal discussions rather than public campaigns or posters backing contenders.

"The final decision will come out either this evening or tomorrow. The party High Command will not consider the number of hoardings but the opinion of the MLAs and coalition partners. Tomorrow the final decision will come," he said.

The suspense over the Kerala CM's face has intensified after the UDF secured 102 seats in the Assembly elections, ending the Left Democratic Front’s tenure in the state. The Congress leadership has now begun a fresh round of consultations in Delhi amid growing speculation over who will head the next government.

Senior Congress leader VD Satheesan, who served as Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, is seen as one of the strongest contenders for the Chief Minister’s post. Satheesan arrived in Delhi on Friday night for meetings with the Congress high command.

Veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has also reached the national capital ahead of discussions with All India Congress Committee leaders.

Congress leader KP Noushad said major political developments were expected after the Delhi meetings. He credited Satheesan’s role as Leader of Opposition and UDF chairman, calling him a natural frontrunner in the leadership race.

The battle for the top post has gathered momentum over the past few days, with supporters of Satheesan holding marches and demonstrations across Kerala. At the same time, posters backing Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal have surfaced in several parts of the state, fuelling speculation over his entry.

Apart from Satheesan and Venugopal, Chennithala is also being viewed as a key contender for the Chief Minister’s post.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph said the party would follow democratic procedures before making the final announcement.

The Congress high command is expected to complete consultations with newly elected MLAs and UDF allies before taking the final call on the Kerala Chief Minister. 

With ANI inputs