Keralam: A ‘Mahabharata’ Within Congress for the CM’s Chair—Venugopal, Satheesan, or Chennithala: Who Will Wear the Crown?

Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam. In the Keralam Assembly elections, the UDF—the Congress-led alliance—has secured a resounding victory. The formation of a government is now a certainty. However, even before the celebrations for the victory could begin, a new battle has erupted within the Congress party. The battle centers on the question: Who will become the Chief Minister (CM)? Three prominent leaders are at the forefront of the race for this coveted seat; posters are being put up, meetings are being held in Delhi, and internal party tensions have begun to spill out into the open.

Now that it is confirmed that the Congress will form the government, the pivotal question remains: Who will occupy the Chief Minister’s chair? This very question has become the catalyst for a major power struggle within the party. Three leaders are currently leading the pack in the race for this position.

First Contender: K.C. Venugopal
K.C. Venugopal is participating in this race with full force. He is widely regarded as the strongest contender. He holds a very firm grip on the party’s organizational machinery. He has been consistently meeting with MLAs and garnering their support to ensure his candidacy appears to carry the most weight. Reports suggest that he has traveled to Delhi to meet with the party’s High Command.

Second Contender: V.D. Satheesan
V.D. Satheesan is also considered a formidable contender. During the election campaign, he launched aggressive attacks against the incumbent LDF government. His efforts infused the party cadre with renewed energy, enabling the UDF to achieve this electoral victory. For this very reason, he enjoys the strongest support base among the party’s grassroots workers. He is currently preparing to present his claim for the top post before the High Command—that is, the senior leadership based in Delhi.

Third Contender: Ramesh Chennithala
Ramesh Chennithala is the most experienced of the three leaders. He commands significant credibility within the party as well as across all constituent parties of the alliance. His supporters are projecting him as the ideal choice, arguing that at a time when the party requires stable and composed leadership, Chennithala represents the most appropriate option.