Published Apr 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM
VD Satheesan and KC Venugopal
Synopsis: The Congress CM race in Kerala has narrowed to KC Venugopal versus VD Satheesan, with Ramesh Chennithala sidelined. IUML and Joseph group back Satheesan, citing his leadership in rebuilding UDF, while Venugopal’s loyalists highlight his organisational and financial role. Analysts see Satheesan’s aggressive style as divisive yet effective, while Venugopal’s bid struggles to gain wider traction.
The smoke around Congress CM candidate has now largely subsided- not on its own, but through clear and decisive interventions. What the state witnessed over the past week was less a conventional political debate and more a direct cyber battle between supporters of KC Venugopal and VD Satheesan, largely playing out within party ranks.
From senior figures like K Sudhakaran to newer entrants such as Thiruvananthapuram councillor Vyshana Suresh, voices suddenly emerged in support of Venugopal. At the same time, Satheesan loyalists mobilised aggressively, setting up social media war rooms and rebranding online groups to back their leader.
While the contest initially featured three contenders, including Ramesh Chennithala, the narrative has now narrowed into a direct face-off between Venugopal and Satheesan, with Chennithala losing momentum early due to limited organisational and PR backing.
Now, with the ally backing, and public opinion coming together, the chaos seems to be settling around one leader.
Also Read: Congress urges caution on Kerala CM debate
Satheesan during an IUML function
IUML’s position is crucial in selecting the CM candidate, as they are the second-largest players in the UDF and hold strong influence in the Malabar belt. A few days ago, the visit of Wandoor MLA AP Anilkumar to Panakkad in Malappuram- the headquarters of the Panakkad Thangal family that leads the IUML drew significant attention.
The visit was widely seen as an attempt to secure support for KC Venugopal, as Anilkumar is known to be his loyalist.
However, when South First contacted a top IUML leader, it was conveyed that IUML supremo Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal has taken a clear stance in support of VD Satheesan.
”What I understand is that he told Anilkumar- we believe in God’d justice and natural justice. Satheesan is the one who built the ‘Team UDF’ narrative. He led the UDF in bypolls, Lok Sabha polls and localbody elections, where the UDF achieved notable victories. He took up the party when it was almost crushed after the 2021 Assembly elections. So how can we ignore his contributions?” the leader said.
At the same time, IUML may consider holding talks with Priyanka Gandhi if the internal tussle worsens further. Sources say that neither Priyanka nor Rahul Gandhi can ignore the League’s stance, given its role in delivering strong margins in the Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, IUML General Secretary PMA Salam has criticised the public tussle over the CM post, calling it premature and disrespectful to UDF workers. He stressed that the mandate is for governance, not internal fights, and that discussions on the CM post should happen only after the results are clear.
The Kerala Congress (Joseph group) has also taken a soft stance in favour of Satheesan. A leader from Thodupuzha pointed out that before the elections, there were no such discussions around Venugopal or Ramesh Chennithala. It was Satheesan who guided the team, so he deserves the chair, the leader said.
Support groups backing K.C. Venugopal are actively highlighting his contributions to the Assembly elections across social media platforms.
When South First reached out to various grassroots leaders from the Youth Congress, Mahila Morcha, and INTUC, most voiced support for KC Venugopal and even publicly backed him on their social media handles.
A leader from Alappuzha told South First, ”VD Satheesan has performed effectively as the Opposition Leader, and we do not intend to dismiss that. The public largely sees Satheesan, but party workers understand the extent of KC Venugopal’s efforts over the past decade.
For a party that has been out of power for 10 years, sustaining its functioning is no small task. Have you ever considered how it managed financially? Support from the Karnataka and Telangana Congress units played a role, but it was made possible largely because of Venugopal” he said.
Leaders aligned with the KC faction also highlighted his key role in the Assembly elections.
”Candidate selection was strictly based on survey reports. Within just 18 days, he visited nearly 80 constituencies and brought in star campaigners such as DK Shivakumar and Sachin Pilot. Months in advance, he worked on social engineering to ensure that all factors aligned in favour of the UDF.
In around 60 constituencies, AICC observers were appointed. He also directly engaged with rebel candidates and persuaded them, in a diplomatic manner, to step back from contesting” they told South First.
Also Read: KC Venugopal eyeing Kerala CM chair? Expelled TN leader Hazeena Syed’s remark sparks row
When South First contacted party workers and the public, many pointed to VD Satheesan’s ”aggressive style” as both his biggest strength and his biggest weakness.
Nelson George, a Congress loyalist from Kochi, said ”VD Satheesan is an aggressive leader. But aggression is not the way of the Congress party. He is slowly adapting the style of the CPI(M) and if he becomes CM, he could turn into an autocrat like Pinarayi Vijayan.”
He added ”Congress is a party built on diversity and inclusivity. He is not on good terms with caste organisations like NSS and SNDP and for a political party, their support matters. Relationships built over decades by our senior leaders can be easily damaged. His aggressive style may get applause on social media, but it won’t work for Congress.”
However, those backing Satheesan strongly defended his approach.
”Politics has changed a lot. To compete with cadre-based parties like CPI(M) and BJP an aggressive style is needed. Congress’s soft approach won’t work in the future” they said.
They added, ”Satheesan sensed this shift early. He is leading the party with conviction and a more disciplined, strict style. In Rahul Mamkootathil’s case, his approach was right – otherwise, it could have damaged the party. He does not compromise under pressure.”
V.D. Satheesan with Catholicos-designate His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph Metropolitan.
Political expert Roy Mathew told South First that much of the support for KC Venugopal within the party is driven more by political survival than conviction. ”They are aware of his influence in the high command. But arguments like he arranged funds for the party do not hold- that is his responsibility,” Roy Mathew said.
”Ahmed Patel was one of the most powerful leaders in the party and handled its finances, yet he never staked a claim for the Chief Minister’s post in Gujarat. These claims by KC’s loyalists are largely emotional” he added.
Mathew also pointed out that political attacks in Kerala over the past five years have been largely directed at VD Satheesan, not Venugopal or Ramesh Chennithala.
He further noted that even the SDPI leadership had indicated a willingness to support UDF at one point, but Satheesan’s firm stance against alliances with communal forces prevented such a move. According to Mathew, Congress defeats in 2016 and 2021 were largely due to declining support from the Christian community, particularly in key central Travancore districts like Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta.
”Satheesan worked effectively to regain that social base, and the results were visible in the local body elections where the UDF registered significant gains in Christian-majority regions. that does not mean he blindly follows church leadership. In fact, he was among the first to oppose narratives like ‘narcotic jihad’. At the same time, he maintained engagement — even receiving invitations to synod-level meetings of bishops, which are usually exclusive to church leadership. That balanced approach helped the party.”
He added that Satheesan has also faced legal and political challenges, including a case filed in Kannur over his remarks on MS Golwalkar. ”What unsettles many leaders is that five years ago he was just an MLA, but today he has grown into a leader with statewide appeal. There is also a perception that his decision-making cannot be easily swayed by external pressure, with the attacks from NSS and SNDP often cited as a clear example of this.” Mathew said.
Sources within AICC said that KC Venugopal had discreetly sounded out the possibility of a Chief Ministerial bid, aiming to assess public sentiment and test his prospects. Another source alleged that many of the news reports favouring KC Venugopal were paid placements.
However, the effort failed to gather momentum and gradually faded without gaining wider acceptance. Reportedly, this comes amid a softer stance from Rahul Gandhi towards VD Satheesan, which many within the party see as a red flag for Venugopal’s prospects.
