The uncertainty surrounding the appointment of Kerala’s next Chief Minister is beginning to spill onto the streets, with anxious Congress workers openly confronting party leaders and demanding clarity from the high command.
What began as quiet discussions inside party circles has now turned into visible frustration among grassroots workers, especially in Ernakulam district, where support for senior Congress leader V.D. Satheesan appears to be running high.
In Ernakulam district, where the United Democratic Front (UDF) registered a sweeping victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, uncertainty over the choice of Kerala’s next Chief Minister is triggering growing unease within the Congress party. After returning to power with a decisive mandate of more than 100 seats following a decade in opposition, the party is now confronting rising pressure from workers and supporters over the prolonged delay in announcing its leadership choice.
Protests in Perumbavoor and Beyond
At Mudikkal near Perumbavoor, Congress MP Benny Behanan found himself surrounded by a group of party workers while arriving for a private function. The workers questioned him about his stand on the Chief Ministerial selection and urged him to extend full support to V.D. Satheesan for the top post.
Videos and accounts from the spot quickly spread across political circles, reflecting the growing impatience among cadres who say they are struggling to answer questions from ordinary supporters despite the party’s electoral victory.
However, Benny Behanan later rejected reports claiming that he was “blocked” or prevented from moving. Clarifying the incident, the MP said Congress workers who knew him personally had approached him at a wedding function and expressed their opinions in a cordial manner.
“The word ‘block’ is pejorative,” Behanan said, adding that the interaction happened three days ago and was now being circulated as a fresh political controversy. According to him, the workers were merely expressing curiosity about who would become Chief Minister — a sentiment shared by Congress supporters and the wider public alike.
Behanan said he responded calmly and urged workers to wait for the decision of the Congress high command, maintaining that party leadership would take an appropriate call.
Ambushing the Congress MP- Video viral!
However, Videos of activists confronting leaders circulated rapidly on social media, adding to the perception of crisis. In many parts of Ernakulam, elected representatives found themselves cornered by enthusiastic workers seeking answers, unable to offer more than assurances that the high command would decide appropriately.
But the incident has underlined a deeper anxiety within the Congress ranks. Across Ernakulam district, several leaders are reportedly facing uncomfortable questions from party workers eager for clarity on the leadership issue. Grassroots cadres, emboldened by the election outcome, are increasingly pressing elected representatives to publicly declare support for Satheesan.
A similar situation unfolded recently when activists questioned another Congress leader, Eldhose Kunnappilly, Sajeendran, over his stand on the Chief Minister’s post. Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media also claimed that MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan faced protests from workers. Kuzhalnadan later clarified that the visuals were related to a local electoral dispute and had no connection to the Chief Ministerial race.
No CM yet! Why there is an unrest in Congress party?
The developments reveal the emotional investment many Congress workers have in the leadership question. For cadres on the ground, the prolonged silence from Delhi has created confusion, speculation, and growing impatience. Many workers believe the delay is weakening morale at a time when the party should be consolidating its political momentum.
Even as senior leaders continue consultations and the Congress high command seeks feedback from individual MLAs, pressure from the grassroots is becoming increasingly visible. Every passing hour without a final announcement appears to be deepening unease within sections of the party.
Political Kerala is now closely watching whether the Congress high command will break the deadlock soon — or whether the uncertainty over the Chief Minister’s chair will further intensify tensions within the party ranks.
Keralam Status: What’s the current status?
Congress High Command Deliberations: As of May 13, 2026, the suspense continues. Congress observers are consulting MLAs, and a decision is expected soon—possibly as early as today—with the high command weighing the claims of top contenders: V.D. Satheesan (backed strongly by workers UDF key ally Muslim League), senior leader K.C. Venugopal (Majority MLA support), and veteran Ramesh Chennithala. The party has time until May 23 for the formal process.
The delay has fueled protests and counterclaims across Kerala, exposing factional undercurrents. While some highlight Satheesan’s organizational strength and public appeal, others point to the broader influence and Delhi connections of other leaders. IUML allies and local workers have voiced impatience, warning that ignoring the ground sentiment could affect party unity.
Political Kerala watches with bated breath. Every passing hour of uncertainty adds to the unrest, especially in strongholds like Perumbavoor and Ernakulam, where the attraction toward Satheesan runs deep. Will the high command respect the cadre’s strong preference, or will broader strategic considerations prevail?
