Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) on Thursday passed a resolution handing over the decision on the Chief Minister of Kerala to the party high command. The resolution also authorises AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to decide on the Congress Legislative Party leader.

The one-line resolution was moved by KPCC president Sunny Joseph at the meeting held at Indira Bhavan in the presence of AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik.

Also Read

placeholder

IUML candidate list: Kunhalikutty shifts to Malappuram; no seat for Muneer; two women to contest

Party sources said the resolution was supported by opposition leader V. D. Satheesan and unanimously adopted by newly elected MLAs and senior leaders. The Congress has 63 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Satheesan, Chennithala and Venugopal in contention

According to party sources, senior leaders V. D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal are being considered for the Chief Minister’s post.

Earlier in the day, observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken held discussions with senior leaders, including V. M. Sudheeran, K. Sudhakaran, Ramesh Chennithala and V. D. Satheesan.

The observers are also scheduled to meet leaders of UDF alliance partners as part of the consultation process, party sources said.

MLAs begin one-to-one consultations with observers

Following the resolution, AICC observers began one-to-one meetings with Congress MLAs to gather their views on the leadership matter. Deepa Das Munshi is also part of the consultation process with MLAs, party sources said.

Chandy Oommen, newly elected MLA from Puthuppally, was the first to meet Mukul Wasnik, Ajay Maken and Deepa Dasmunsi, as he had constituency-related commitments requiring him to return.

Party sources said MLAs will express their preferences during these individual meetings. Earlier, the Satheesan camp had reportedly sought the exclusion of Deepa Dasmunsi from the consultation process, but the request was not accepted, according to sources.

Observers are expected to submit a report to the party high command after completing consultations, following which a final decision will be taken on the Chief Minister of Kerala.