Published May 09, 2026 | 3:29 PM ⚊ Updated May 09, 2026 | 3:29 PM
K C Venugopal, V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala.
Synopsis: The Congress high command in Delhi is caught between two powerful currents in Kerala — the overwhelming backing K.C. Venugopal enjoys among MLAs and the emotional public wave demanding that V.D. Satheesan, the face of the UDF’s comeback, be made Chief Minister. With Ramesh Chennithala waiting quietly in the background, the leadership now faces a decision that could shape not just the new government, but the Congress party’s future balance in Kerala.
New Delhi is witnessing one of the most delicate power negotiations the Congress has faced in years.
What began as a routine exercise after the UDF’s emphatic return to power in Kerala has now turned into a layered political test involving public sentiment, legislative arithmetic, factional balance, generational transition and the authority of the high command itself.
At the centre of the storm are three leaders with three different claims.
In organisational strength and legislative backing, K.C. Venugopal (KC) is clearly ahead.
In political momentum and public perception, V.D. Satheesan (VDS) occupies the strongest position.
In experience and seniority, Ramesh Chennithala (RC) remains firmly in contention.
The Congress leadership in Delhi now finds itself caught between these competing realities.
Senior leaders like P J Kurian confirmed that there is no fourth name at present before the state or central leadership and one among these three will lead the state in the next five years.
AICC observers who met MLAs in Kerala have already submitted their report to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Along with the written assessment, the observers are understood to have conveyed verbally that Kerala’s situation cannot be approached through the conventional formula followed in several other states, where the legislative party’s numerical preference alone settles the leadership question.
That observation has become central to the ongoing discussions in Delhi.
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K C Venugopal
According to inputs gathered by the observers, K.C. Venugopal enjoys overwhelming support within the Congress legislative party.
More than 40 MLAs are said to have openly backed him during the consultations. Several others reportedly maintained that they would abide by the high command’s decision, though some among them are believed to be personally inclined toward Satheesan or Chennithala.
Inside the party, this legislative backing is being projected aggressively by the KC camp. Leaders aligned with him claim he now has a “99 percent chance” of becoming CM. They also make it clear that Venugopal will not voluntarily withdraw from the race.
The argument from the KC side goes beyond numbers. Their contention is that Venugopal played the crucial behind-the-scenes role in stabilising the Congress organisation, managing factional tensions and ensuring discipline during candidate selection and campaign coordination. MLA support, they insist, reflects years of organisational work rather than temporary enthusiasm.
Yet this is precisely where the high command’s dilemma begins.
Venugopal is not merely a Kerala leader. He is one of the Congress high command’s most influential national organisers. Elevating him to the Kerala chief ministership could invite criticism that the leadership imposed its preference despite strong public sentiment favouring another leader.
That concern has become impossible to ignore in Delhi over the last 48 hours.
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V D Satheesan
If legislative numbers favour KC, political energy outside the legislature appears to favour V.D. Satheesan.
Within the Congress, there is broad recognition that the UDF’s massive victory after a decade in opposition owes much to Satheesan’s role as Leader of the Opposition. His aggressive political campaigns against the LDF government, his visibility in public issues and his ability to revive cadre morale gave Congress workers renewed confidence during difficult years.
The observers’ report itself is said to have acknowledged that public sentiment appears to lean strongly toward Satheesan.
That sentiment became visible again in Delhi late Friday night.
When Satheesan arrived at Kerala House after midnight, he was greeted by large crowds of youth and student activists, including supporters associated with the NSUI and MSF.
Slogans demanding that “the one who led the battle should lead the government” echoed through the premises. The reception drew attention within Congress circles because it reflected support extending beyond Kerala-based organisational networks.
Student activists from institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia and University of Delhi were reportedly among those mobilised in support of Satheesan.
Simultaneously, demonstrations in favour of Satheesan have spread across Kerala.
Torchlight marches, street protests and flex campaigns have appeared in multiple districts. In several places, workers openly argued that the leader who rebuilt the Congress and led the UDF to victory should not be denied the top post.
This growing mobilisation has complicated the calculations in Delhi.
Congress leaders privately admit that if the leadership appears to disregard overwhelming public sentiment, the party risks creating unnecessary resentment immediately after securing one of its biggest victories in Kerala in recent decades.
The memory of the CPI(M)’s handling of V. S. Achuthanandan continues to be discussed inside Congress circles. Some leaders fear a similar perception battle if Satheesan is overlooked despite being seen as the public face of the victory.
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Ramesh Chennithala
Amid the sharp contest between KC and Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala remains quietly relevant.
His supporters argue that when the state is facing serious administrative and financial challenges, experience should not be brushed aside. Chennithala’s long innings in both organisational and governmental roles are being projected as an advantage in a politically volatile environment.
There is also another political calculation working in his favour.
If the KC and Satheesan camps harden their positions beyond compromise, the high command may eventually look for a consensus option capable of minimising factional damage. Leaders close to Chennithala believe that possibility still exists.
The Alappuzha factor has added another layer to the conversation.
Both Venugopal and Chennithala belong to the district, the former being Alappuzha MP and another being Harippad MLA elect,
and the chief ministerial debate has triggered intense excitement there.
Supporters of both leaders have launched visible campaigns, including social media mobilisation and public displays of support.
Interestingly, even in Alappuzha district, demonstrations first emerged in favour of Satheesan, particularly in places like Kayamkulam.
Among the practical issues now weighing on the Congress leadership, the by-election question has become significant.
If K C Venugopal becomes the Chief Minister, he will first have to resign from the Lok Sabha seat he won from Alappuzha. He would then need to enter the Kerala Assembly within six months, requiring another MLA to vacate a seat for him. That would effectively force the Congress into two by-elections soon after assuming power.
Several MLAs and even constituent parties are said to have flagged this as politically risky. The concern is not merely logistical. Congress leaders worry that forcing a newly elected MLA to resign immediately after a massive victory could create avoidable public resentment.
Attention has particularly centred on first-time MLA A.D. Thomas, who secured a strong victory in Alappuzha.
Some leaders fear that the social coalitions and coastal support that helped him win may not automatically transfer in a by-election fought under different political circumstances.
The KC camp, however, remains dismissive of such concerns. Leaders aligned with Venugopal have reportedly assured the high command that there will be no electoral setback and that the government’s initial momentum will ensure victory in any by-election.
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Leaders K C Venugopal, V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala with KPCC president Sunny Joseph
What has further alarmed the central leadership is the speed with which the contest has started reviving factional bitterness inside the Congress state unit.
The KC camp has accused Satheesan supporters of orchestrating public pressure campaigns against the high command’s consultative process. The tearing of flex boards carrying KC Venugopal’s photographs in Thiruvananthapuram has been highlighted before the leadership in Delhi. Some leaders have also alleged that images of former CM Oommen Chandy were damaged during the protests.
At the same time, Satheesan’s supporters insist that their mobilisation reflects genuine cadre sentiment and cannot be dismissed as factional theatre.
Behind the scenes, another debate has already begun — the question of the next KPCC president.
With current KPCC chief Sunny Joseph almost certain to join the ministry, the organisation will require a new state president. Names including Benny Behanan, Kodikunnil Suresh, Shafi Parambil and Anto Antony are already being discussed.
That decision too will depend heavily on who eventually emerges as CM.
The Congress high command is expected to hold another crucial round of discussions on Saturday evening at Kharge’s residence in Delhi, where the three principal contenders are likely to be consulted again.
The observers’ report reportedly stops short of recommending a specific name.
Instead, it underlines the complexity of Kerala’s political mood: MLAs strongly favour KC Venugopal, public sentiment leans toward Satheesan, while coalition partners appear more comfortable with the Opposition leader’s continuation into government.
That leaves the final decision squarely with the Congress high command.
For now, Delhi remains tense, uncertain and unusually watchful. Congress-led UDF has returned to power in Kerala with a commanding mandate of 102 seats.
The leadership knows the first decision taken after such a victory may shape not only the government’s stability, but also the party’s credibility in a state where political memory runs deep.
