Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, May 13: After nearly ten days of intense political negotiations, speculation, and behind-the-scenes consultations, the Congress leadership on Wednesday indicated that the suspense over Kerala’s next Chief Minister was finally nearing its conclusion.
The first clear signal emerged late in the evening when Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stepped out of Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge’s residence in Delhi and announced that discussions authorised by the Congress Legislative Party had been completed. He confirmed that the party would formally declare Kerala’s new Chief Minister on Thursday.
The announcement immediately intensified political attention in Kerala, where uncertainty has persisted since the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a decisive electoral victory over the decade-long Left Democratic Front government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan.
Throughout Wednesday, senior Congress leaders held extensive consultations in Delhi, with Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, and veteran strategist A. K. Antony reportedly evaluating the competing claims of key contenders including V. D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K. C. Venugopal.
As discussions continued in the national capital, political activity intensified across Kerala. Satheesan’s residence in Aluva became a focal point of attention, with hundreds of supporters gathering outside from early morning and closely monitoring every development emerging from Delhi. Television crews, party workers, and slogan-shouting supporters turned the area into a politically charged venue throughout the day.
A similar atmosphere prevailed outside Chennithala’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram, where supporters remained hopeful that the senior leader’s administrative experience and organisational acceptability could still work in his favour during the final round of deliberations.
At the same time, much of the day’s speculation revolved around Venugopal, whose name had emerged strongly in recent days and reportedly complicated the decision-making process within the party. Despite being considered a serious contender, Venugopal remained away from the high-profile meetings involving Rahul Gandhi and Kharge, choosing instead to stay at his Delhi residence, which further fuelled rumours of parallel negotiations and backchannel consultations.
Another development that attracted political attention came later in the evening when senior Lok Sabha MP Kodikunnil Suresh was seen visiting Antony’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram, prompting fresh speculation over possible last-minute political interventions before the final announcement.
With the Congress leadership now indicating that the decision has been finalised, Kerala awaits the official declaration of the leader who will become the state’s 13th Chief Minister.