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Amid a heated debate within the Congress in Kerala over who will be the next Chief Minister, KPCC President Sunny Joseph on Thursday urged party leaders and workers to refrain from making public statements or social media posts backing specific individuals for the post.
Speaking to a Malayalam news channel, Sunny Joseph said the party high command would decide on the Chief Minister after the Assembly poll results are out on May 4, following discussions with the elected legislators.
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He said public comments on the chief ministerial choice are inappropriate and should instead be made at party forums.
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Despite a strict directive from the party high command to halt public discussions, the debate over the next Chief Minister has intensified within the Congress and on social media platforms.
Discussions over who would become the Chief Minister have been ongoing since the day after the voting. The debate gained momentum after Ernakulam district Congress President Muhammed Shias, a confidant of Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan, suggested that the Chief Minister should be from Ernakulam. His remark raised suspicion among other factions in the Congress.
Following this, former KPCC President K Sudhakaran, an MP, openly stated that he wants Ramesh Chennithala to become the Chief Minister if the UDF comes to power. Earlier, senior Congress leader P J Kurien had also publicly stated that Ramesh Chennithala would be the Chief Minister if the UDF secures a majority in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, taking a U-turn on his earlier stance, K Sudhakaran on Wednesday publicly backed AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal for the Kerala Chief Minister’s post.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Sudhakaran highlighted Venugopal’s organisational skills, grassroots connection, and critical role in motivating party workers during the 2026 assembly election campaign.
In his post, Sudhakaran expressed hope that Venugopal would emerge as a leader capable of guiding the administration in Kerala, stating, “Just as he strengthens the national leadership, K.C. Venugopal should rise as a leader who can inspire people and party workers in Kerala and provide direction for the governance of tomorrow.” This endorsement is notable as Sudhakaran had previously supported Ramesh Chennithala for the Chief Minister’s post, indicating a strategic shift in internal party dynamics.
Despite a gag order from the party high command, Congress leaders and workers continue to discuss the chief ministerial post on social media. Some leaders have also expressed dissatisfaction with the current discussions.
Congress supporter and writer Sudha Menon shared a Facebook post backing K.C. Venugopal. KSU State President Aloysius Xavier, Youth Congress Working President Binu Chulliyil, former MP and Chirayinkeezhu assembly candidate Ramya Haridas, Angamaly MLA Roji M John, and other Congress leaders and members of affiliated organisations have also been actively engaging in the ongoing factional changes under the pro-KC posts in recent days.
Coming out against the ongoing discussions over the Chief Minister’s post even before the results are declared, senior leader K.C. Joseph reminded the leaders engaged in these discussions that “if you spit while lying down, it will fall on your own face.” Karunagappally MLA CR Mahesh mocked the current discussions by reminding the proverb, “Aalin kaya pazhukkumbol Kakkaku Vayapunnu” (when the fruit of the banyan tree ripens, the crow develops a sore mouth).
The Indian Union Muslim League(IUML) is also unhappy with the public tussle within the Congress over the Chief Minister’s post. However, the party has decided not to directly intervene in the matter and will instead convey its stand to the Congress high command.
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