Congress infighting spills onto Wayanad streets: Posters target Rahul, Priyanka over support for Venugopal as Kerala CM

Ten days after the Congress-led United Democratic Front secured power in Kerala with a commanding electoral victory, the alliance’s failure to name a Chief Minister has triggered an escalating political crisis, with anonymous posters in Wayanad openly targeting Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over the possible elevation of senior Congress leader KC Venugopal.

The posters, which surfaced near the Wayanad District Congress Committee office, accuse the Gandhi siblings of attempting to “impose” Venugopal on Kerala despite growing opposition among party workers and the public. The development marks a sharp escalation in the Congress leadership tussle that has paralysed decision-making even days after the alliance secured power.

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One of the posters warned that “Kerala will never forgive you,” while another declared that “Wayanad will become another Amethi,” invoking Rahul Gandhi’s 2019 electoral defeat in Uttar Pradesh. The posters also mocked Venugopal as Rahul Gandhi’s “bag bearer” and warned the Congress leadership against ignoring sentiment within Kerala.

Wayanad, Keralam: Posters targeting Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have appeared near the Wayanad District Congress Committee office amid ongoing suspense over Kerala’s next Chief Minister following the UDF’s election victory pic.twitter.com/z62QGaq9Rb

— IANS (@ians_india) May 13, 2026

The political message carries added weight because Wayanad has long been closely associated with the Gandhi family. Rahul Gandhi represented the constituency in Parliament before Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emerged as the party’s key face there during the campaign.

Though no group has claimed responsibility for the posters, the incident has intensified speculation over deepening factional divisions within the Kerala Congress unit. Supporters of senior leaders VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala have reportedly opposed the idea of leadership being decided solely on the basis of MLA support.

Ironically, despite resistance from sections of the party and public criticism emerging in Wayanad, KC Venugopal is believed to enjoy the backing of a majority of newly elected Congress legislators.

Even after multiple rounds of consultations in Delhi, the Congress high command has yet to announce Kerala’s next Chief Minister, turning a smooth transition into an increasingly bitter power struggle.