Published May 14, 2026 | 10:05 PM ⚊ Updated May 14, 2026 | 10:05 PM
SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan and NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair.
Synopsis: The Nair Service Society and the BJP alleged that the Congress had succumbed to the pressure exerted by the Indian Union Muslim League while naming VD Satheesan as the next chief minister. The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam also criticised the selection process. However, the pro-Ezhava community organisation did not name any political party, but indicated that external forces had influenced the AICC’s decision.
A wave of allegations followed the selection of senior Congress leader VD Satheesan as Kerala’s chief minister on Thursday, 14 May.
Besides allegations, dissatisfaction with the Congress’s decision-making process also came to the fore after the AICC announced Satheesan as the chief minister.
The developments came after a Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting, and the chief minister designate went to the Lok Bhavan to stake a claim to form the government. Satheesan is likely to be sworn in on Monday, 18 May, along with the new council of ministers.
Also Read: VD Satheesan to be Kerala Chief Minister
The Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary, G. Sukumaran Nair, described Satheesan’s elevation as “a surrender of the Congress to the IUML”.
Terming the selection of Satheesan unfortunate, he said a democratic decision would have been different. He clarified that his objection was not to Satheesan personally but to the manner in which the decision was made.
He further said the Congress high command should not have delayed the decision if this was the eventual outcome, adding that there were no proper guidelines or democratic process followed.
Nair further claimed that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had played a decisive role among UDF partners in the selection of Satheesan. He also alleged that ”the pressure exerted by the League was wrong. It could have expressed its wish, but could not have taken a stand on the issue.
“They did not have the right to do so,” the leader of the Nair community organisation added.
Vellappally Natesan, the general secretary of another community organisation, the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, indicated that external pressure had influenced the selection process.
Without naming anyone, he remarked that ”everyone knows it” and expressed disappointment over the AICC overlooking senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.
However, he also said a Satheesan-led government could deliver governance based on social justice.
Natesan described KC Venugopal as the ”main architect” of the UDF’s electoral win, while acknowledging Satheesan’s role as the Opposition leader over the past five years.
Meanwhile, Chennithala did not attend the CLP meeting. Leaders close to him said he submitted his letter of support to CLP leader Satheesan via KPCC president Sunny Joseph and later proceeded to Guruvayur Temple.
His absence at the CLP meeting has been interpreted by some quarters as dissatisfaction with the decision, though his camp maintained it was a pre-scheduled visit.
Also Read: With Kerala CM question settled, Congress and allies turn to cabinet tug-of-war
Speaking to South First, NSS office bearer Induchoodan from Kochi said the involvement of coalition partners like the IUML in selecting the legislature party leader was ”against the spirit of democracy”. He added that alliance partners should accept Congress’s decisions rather than influencing them.
When asked why sections of the Nair community were not strongly backing Satheesan despite his caste background, he said Satheesan ”has no good rapport with the NSS” compared to leaders like Chennithala and Venugopal. Induchoodan described Satheesan as aggressive and alleged that he has publicly criticised the NSS, unlike the treatment meted out to minority leaders.
Political analyst Roy Mathew told South First that Satheesan is not someone who compromises before community leadership, whether majority or minority.
He argued that targeting the IUML stems from its strong position within the UDF. Mathew noted that the League has been a key partner since the 1979–80 restructuring and remains the second-largest bloc in the alliance, with strong influence in Malabar.
IUML leader PMA Salam, however, rejected such allegations, stating that, ”Satheesan has always spoken about Team UDF. It will be a Team UDF government. Alliance partners had been consulted multiple times by AICC. Mallikarjun Kharge called us even today just before the announcement, and we gave our opinion.” he told South First.
He added that ministerial portfolios would be decided later and added that the swearing-in ceremony is likely on Monday.
The political friction is also being viewed in the context of earlier history, including Satheesan’s exclusion from a ministerial berth in 2011, where his ”attitude” was reportedly cited as a factor.
Soon after the announcement, the BJP criticised the Congress, alleging that the decision was influenced by the IUML and that the party had ”surrendered” to its coalition partner. The BJP’s Kerala unit intensified its attack, while UDF allies firmly defended the choice.
The IUML, with 22 MLAs, strongly backed Satheesan, arguing that the election victory reflected approval of his leadership. Other allies, including the Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction with seven MLAs, the Revolutionary Socialist Party with three MLAs and smaller partners like CMP, also supported the decision.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
