Thiruvananthapuram: Reports indicate that KC Venugopal is not on the chartered flight that departed from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram with Congress leaders. An official announcement on the new Chief Minister is likely around 12 noon from Delhi itself.

The flight heading to Kerala is carrying AICC General Secretary in charge of Kerala Deepa Das Munshi, observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, along with Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana.

KC Venugopal’s absence from the Kerala-bound flight is being seen as an indication that his chances for the Chief Minister’s post may have diminished. However, he held a discussion with Rahul Gandhi on Thursday morning that reportedly lasted for more than an hour. It was after this meeting that the decision was made for Venugopal not to travel to Kerala.