New Delhi: Even after new governments were formed in Bengal and Tamil Nadu following the elections, the Congress has still failed to elect a Chief Minister in Kerlaam, despite securing a two-third majority. The delay in selecting a leader has now turned into a prolonged political crisis, exposing deep divisions within the Congress and triggering an open power struggle involving the party high command, coalition partners, and religious pressure groups.
Senior Congress leaders including Opposition Leader VD. Satheesan, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, and former Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala are currently in Delhi holding discussions with the Congress high command regarding the Chief Minister’s post. What initially appeared to be an internal leadership contest between the three leaders has now evolved into a larger confrontation involving the Congress central leadership and influential minority organisations in Keralam. Reports that emerged after the Congress high command’s representatives met MLAs in Keralam suggested that more than 45 out of the party’s 63 MLAs had expressed support for K.C. Venugopal. At the same time, major media outlets have reported that V.D. Satheesan, despite leading the Congress campaign from the front during the elections, does not command majority support among Congress legislators for the Chief Minister’s post.
Muslim groups support for VD Satheesan intensifies
While legislative support appears to favour KC Venugopal, an aggressive public campaign has simultaneously emerged in support of V.D. Satheesan. Over the past two days, large efforts have been made to project the impression that Satheesan enjoys overwhelming “public support.” The most significant backing for Satheesan has come from the Indian Union Muslim League, a key ally of the UDF.
The Muslim League leadership has openly supported V.D. Satheesan for the Chief Minister’s position. Several Hindu community organisations, including the SNDP and NSS, had strongly opposed Satheesan even before the elections.
The Muslim League’s open intervention in the Congress leadership issue has triggered resentment within sections of the Congress itself. Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan publicly stated that the Muslim League should not interfere in the internal affairs of the Congress party. Following his remarks, he faced severe criticism and political isolation.Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan from Kasaragod openly opposed Mathew Kuzhalnadan’s position and publicly stated that the Congress achieved its massive electoral victory primarily because of minority support. His statement intensified the debate surrounding the influence of minority organisations in determining the Congress leadership in Keralam.
Meanwhile, scenes from Delhi have further fuelled the controversy. As V.D. Satheesan arrived in the national capital for discussions regarding the Chief Ministership, he was welcomed by activists of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Muslim League. During the reception, slogans were reportedly raised against KPCC President Sunny Joseph.
At the same time, leaders associated with Jamaat-e-Islami openly warned that people should take to the streets if the Congress leadership decided to appoint K.C. Venugopal as Chief Minister. These developments have strengthened allegations that organised religious groups are attempting to influence the Congress leadership selection process in Keralam.
Allegations of extremist influence deepen political polarisation
The ongoing developments have intensified claims that extremist religious organisations are actively trying to shape the future government in Keralam. The public mobilisation in favour of Satheesan is being projected as a coordinated political campaign involving organised groups with clear political interests.
Several organisations are working together to ensure Satheesan’s elevation as Chief Minister. The open criticism directed at the KPCC President by Muslim League cadres has further exposed the growing pressure within the Congress organisation in the state.
If V.D. Satheesan eventually becomes Chief Minister, the political influence of organisations such as the Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI is expected to increase significantly. Satheesan’s silence during earlier controversial remarks made by Muslim League leaders, including statements emphasising the importance of religion in politics, has once again become part of the ongoing political debate.
During a recent public programme Satheeshan’s statement raised controversy when he said, “Earth was flat, Prophet said It revolves around sun, science proved it much later.”
This claim proves that even Satheeshan is not aware scientific facts. The remarks in the speech were widely viewed as an attempt to consolidate support from influential Islamic groups in the state in his bid for the Chief Ministerial post.
The controversy has also revived discussions around the exclusion of senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala. Chennithala has served as KPCC President, held major All India Congress responsibilities, and also served as Home Minister in Keralam. At the same time, discussions continue over whether the absence of backing from influential minority pressure groups has weakened his prospects in the leadership race. Meanwhile, there are also indications that Chennithala could emerge as a compromise candidate if the Congress high command fails to achieve consensus with influential organisations currently backing Satheesan.
Congress high command pushes KC Venugopal
Within the Congress organisation, K.C. Venugopal reportedly enjoys the support of the majority of MLAs. Sources within the party indicate that both the AICC leadership and sections of the Congress high command are inclined towards appointing him as Chief Minister.
Discussions in Delhi indicate that the Congress central leadership views Venugopal as a loyalist capable of strengthening the party’s financial stability at the national level. Reports circulating within Congress circles claim that the party’s recent electoral calculations and alliance management strategies, including developments connected to Tamil Nadu politics and relations with the TVK, have influenced the leadership’s thinking.
As a result, the leadership crisis in Keralam has become far more complicated than a simple contest between individual leaders. The dispute now involves competing pressures from religious organisations, coalition allies, the Congress high command, and internal factional interests.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated on the streets of Kerlaam. Supporters of V.D. Satheesan have reportedly organised protests, torn down flex boards and posters of K.C. Venugopal, and raised slogans against leaders perceived to be opposing Satheesan’s candidature. Despite multiple rounds of discussions in Delhi, there are increasing indications that the Congress high command may not take an immediate decision. According to the latest political signals, the national leadership wants Sonia Gandhi’s direct opinion before announcing the Chief Minister.
Sonia Gandhi’s final approval in CM selection
Congress sources indicate that the high command has accepted demands for broader consultations with UDF constituent parties before taking a final decision on the Chief Ministership. The argument being made by alliance partners is that they must be informed and consulted before any announcement is made. Importantly, Sonia Gandhi did not participate in the earlier crucial discussions regarding the leadership issue. As the matter has now reportedly reached her level, the final decision is expected only after additional consultations and political assessments.
Minority sentiment, including the position of Christian churches and influential minority organisations, is expected to play a decisive role before Sonia Gandhi grants final approval for the next Chief Minister.
At the same time, resentment is growing among ordinary Congress workers in Keralam regarding the manner in which the leadership issue is being handled. Many cadres are unhappy that elected leaders and party workers were effectively sidelined while all major discussions were shifted to Delhi under the direct control of the high command.
There is visible frustration among sections of the Congress rank-and-file over the decision to summon leaders to Delhi instead of conducting consultations within Keralam itself.
As the deadlock continues, the Congress leadership crisis in Keralam has now moved far beyond a routine political decision. It has transformed into a larger struggle involving coalition arithmetic, religious influence, factional rivalries, and the authority of the Congress high command itself.
