The discussions held in New Delhi on Saturday regarding the selection of the Kerala chief minister concluded without a decision.
Although the meeting lasted over three hours, the high command could not decide on the next chief minister. Congress general secretary in-charge of Kerala Deepadas Munshi, however, said party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will decide and announce the Chief Minister’s name soon.
The high command reportedly decided not to announce a chief ministerial candidate under the intense current atmosphere, slamming leaders for engaging in “petty politics” rather than focusing on unity. The leadership ordered an immediate cessation of street-level shows of strength. The high command asked the entire party if these street demonstrations could be stopped. Kharge clarified that the issue should be resolved before the announcement.
After the high-level meeting, the leaders of Kerala held a press conference with Deepadas Munshi. On the instructions of Rahul Gandhi, the three leaders vying for the post of Chief Minister, KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala, made a joint announcement to end the declaration of sectarianism in Kerala.
During high-level meetings in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi slammed the three Congress leaders and warned them tto end demonstrations, banners, and street battles by supporters pushing for their preferred candidates. He said announcing the Chief Minister was not possible in the current atmosphere.