Joseph said such public comments could create discontent among people expecting unity within the Congress.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph on Thursday said party leaders and workers should exercise restraint on the issue of who will be the Chief Minister candidate of the Congress, as the high command will take a decision only after the Kerala Assembly election results on May 4.
He told a TV channel that senior leaders should set an example by not publicly stating their views on who should become Chief Minister if the United Democratic Front (UDF) wins.
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"I am not against anyone expressing their views on the issue, but they should do it among themselves and discreetly and not openly," he said, referring to remarks made by some leaders, including former KPCC president K Sudhakaran, favouring Congress general secretary K C Venugopal as CM candidate.
Joseph said such public comments could create discontent among people expecting unity within the Congress.
"Now is not the apt time to make such views public. My humble request to everyone in the party is to remain silent and be patient till the results come and the high command takes a decision," he emphasised.
Senior congress leaders call for caution
Similar views were expressed by senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, Benny Behanan and K Muraleedharan, who said it was inappropriate for party leaders to make public comments or social media posts backing anyone as CM candidate at this stage.
Muraleedharan, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said such discussions were unnecessary while results were awaited.
"Such a discussion is unnecessary. The decision on the CM candidate will be made at the right time," he said.
He also referred to Rahul Gandhi’s campaign advice, saying in a group dance everyone must move together and individuals should not take separate steps.
Muraleedharan reiterated that Facebook posts supporting any leader at this stage were not appropriate.
"There is a procedure for CM selection. After the election, a meeting of MLAs will decide the parliamentary party leader. The election picture will be clear by May 4 evening, after which the party high command will take a decision," he said.
He added that unnecessary noise should be avoided until then.
"I think the party high command will give a direction in this regard. My opinion is that we should not give a bad impression to the public," he said.
He also said there is currently no discussion on K C Venugopal’s candidature despite his name being mentioned, noting he is not contesting the election.
Muraleedharan added that the UDF fought the election as a team.
"It was Team UDF and it will continue like that," he said.
Chennithala also termed discussions on the CM candidate as unnecessary, saying there was no point while results were awaited.
He said social media does not decide the Congress CM candidate.
"There is a system in place for that. It is not the first time that the Congress will form government or choose a CM. The party high command will take a decision at the right time. So, till then, there is no need to create any controversies on the issue. Doing so will disappoint the public and the party workers," he said.
He added that once the high command decides, it will be accepted by everyone.
Behanan also said social media and cyber platforms will not decide the CM candidate. He said he has submitted his views in writing to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Decision process to follow results
Muraleedharan said the procedure for selecting the Chief Minister involves a meeting of MLAs to choose the parliamentary party leader after results are declared.
He said the election picture will be clear by May 4 evening, after which the party high command will take a decision.
He added that any unnecessary discussion should be avoided until then and said there should be no negative impression created among the public.
He reiterated that the UDF fought as a unified front and all alliance partners will have a role if it comes to power.
"The decision will be taken at the right time," he said.
Published: 16 Apr 2026, 03:34 pm IST
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