The observers, who travelled to the state earlier this week, met MLAs individually on Thursday before returning to New Delhi to brief the leadership on the emerging consensus.
K.C. Venugopal . (Photo: X)
New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram: Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal has emerged as the frontrunner for the Kerala chief minister’s post, as the Congress leadership began consultations following the submission of a report by party observers.
Observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik briefed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday after holding consultations with MLAs and MPs in the state. The observers met legislators individually on Thursday before returning to New Delhi, where discussions are underway to finalise the leadership.
Sources said a majority of Congress MLAs backed Venugopal, with 47 of the party’s 63 newly elected legislators, including KPCC president Sunny Joseph, proposing his name.
Venugopal, the party’s general secretary (organisation), is seen as a key figure in the central leadership and is known to have close ties with Rahul Gandhi.
Meanwhile, senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala and V.D. Satheesan are expected to be in New Delhi for a high-level meeting on Saturday, as the party seeks to maintain unity.
While several senior leaders have backed Venugopal, three former KPCC chiefs supported Satheesan. Public sentiment in the state is also said to favour Satheesan, who led the party’s campaign against the Left Democratic Front and served as Leader of the Opposition.
Chennithala is also in contention, making the leadership decision a closely watched internal exercise.
State leaders have conveyed to the high command that there should be no rotational chief minister arrangement, indicating a preference for a single leadership choice.
Amid the consultations, Congress workers held processions in support of Satheesan in several parts of Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode. A large march was taken out to the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, with workers raising slogans and carrying banners.
Party workers said Satheesan deserved the post citing his role in leading the Congress and the United Democratic Front to electoral victories.
Despite a circular issued by Sunny Joseph against such processions, workers continued demonstrations across districts, with more programmes planned.
Satheesan appealed to party workers to avoid gatherings.
“We have achieved the biggest victory in the history of Congress and UDF with 102 seats… These are moments of joy and pride for us, but leaders and workers should avoid doing anything that creates difficulties for the party and the front..." he said.
Kharge is expected to hold discussions with the contenders before taking a final decision, with the leadership aiming to balance organisational considerations, public perception and internal unity.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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