If consensus emerges, the Congress is expected to announce Kerala’s new legislature party leader through a press release on Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi witnessed dramatic political scenes on Friday as tensions intensified within the Congress over the selection of Kerala’s next Chief Minister.
In Kerala’s state capital, supporters of Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan staged a series of demonstrations demanding that he be named the next Chief Minister.
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A large crowd gathered at Martyr's Square in Palayam before marching towards the Government Secretariat. Protesters carried placards and a large banner featuring Satheesan’s image with the slogan: “Secular Kerala is with V.D. Satheesan”.
The protests later turned confrontational after some supporters allegedly tore down posters and flex boards of AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal. The displays, which projected Venugopal as the next Chief Minister, were targeted in front of the Secretariat.
The area around the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters at Indira Bhavan also witnessed a surge of competing posters backing Satheesan, Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.
The demonstrations took place despite formal instructions from both the KPCC leadership and Satheesan asking workers to avoid factional public displays and group protests.
Midnight scenes at Kerala House in Delhi
Similar scenes unfolded in the national capital after senior Congress leaders reached Delhi following a call from the party high command.
V.D. Satheesan, KPCC president Sunny Joseph and Ramesh Chennithala arrived on Friday night for crucial meetings scheduled for Saturday.
An enthusiastic reception for Satheesan at Kerala House after midnight drew attention. Hundreds of NSUI and MSF workers gathered late into the night to welcome him, raising slogans including: “VDS , the leader, please lead us”.
The mobilisation reflected support for Satheesan among students from institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi University. Student groups had gathered in Delhi demanding that Satheesan be made Chief Minister.
Slogans against leaders deepen tensions
Amid the celebrations at Kerala House, the absence of Ramesh Chennithala attracted attention. Though room number 204 had reportedly been booked for him, he did not stay there and is understood to have gone to a friend’s residence.
When Sunny Joseph arrived at Kerala House, slogans supporting Satheesan continued. There are allegations that supporters of Satheesan also raised provocative slogans against the KPCC president.
Student groups said the slogans targeted leaders opposing consideration of Satheesan for the Chief Minister’s post. Supporters maintained that Satheesan should be allowed to lead Kerala and described him as the most suitable leader to head the party.
A section of Congress leaders, including the KPCC president, is reportedly unhappy over the slogans. Reports also suggest the leadership may investigate threatening slogans allegedly directed at Sunny Joseph.
The Congress high command is scheduled to meet on Saturday. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to hand over the observers’ report to Rahul Gandhi, while senior leaders from Kerala may also be consulted individually.
If consensus emerges, the Congress is expected to announce Kerala’s new legislature party leader through a press release on Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Published: 09 May 2026, 11:33 am IST
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