Kerala Congress divided over CM post debate

A section of leaders from the Indian National Congress in Kerala has expressed growing dissatisfaction over the party high command’s silence amid an intensifying public debate on the Chief Ministerial face in the state.

The unease comes in the wake of repeated statements by former KPCC president K. Sudhakaran, who has openly endorsed K. C. Venugopal for the top post.

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Senior leaders within the party are learnt to have raised objections, arguing that such public assertions risk undermining party discipline and pre-empting the electorate’s mandate even before results are declared.

Prominent leaders like K. Muraleedharan and Ramesh Chennithala have cautioned against what they describe as an “untimely conversation,” stressing that leadership decisions should follow, not precede, electoral outcomes.

Despite the pushback, Sudhakaran has doubled down on his position. Speaking to the media, he said that during a recent interaction with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament, he was left with the impression that Venugopal is a suitable choice for Chief Minister.

While he acknowledged having earlier supported Chennithala due to his administrative experience, Sudhakaran now argues that Kerala requires a “dynamic and agile” leader like Venugopal.

In contrast, the camp led by Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan has chosen to stay away from the public discourse. Sources suggest that this group is banking on support from key allies such as the Indian Union Muslim League in the event of internal differences escalating.

At a press conference in Kochi on Sunday, Satheesan notably sidestepped repeated questions on the leadership issue, eventually leaving without commenting—further underscoring the party’s cautious and fragmented approach.

The ongoing debate, coupled with the central leadership’s reluctance to intervene, has added a new layer of complexity to the Congress’s internal dynamics in Kerala at a politically sensitive juncture.