Strategic Misstep Dents Venugopal’s Clout
Chennithala Ends Up Also-Ran Again
Thiruvananthapuram: In choosing V. D. Satheesan as Kerala Chief Minister, the Congress high command appears to have gone by larger public sentiment and his wider acceptability among the constituents of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
The decision capped prolonged consultations and intense discussions spanning over ten days after the coalition stormed back to power by defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Satheesan, 61, outpaced AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala (71) in the final phase of the race.
The run-up to the selection witnessed unseemly public displays, with supporters of various contenders putting up banners and flex boards in violation of party conventions and organisational discipline.
The delay in settling the leadership question also triggered criticism and caused discomfort among alliance partners.
Satheesan’s track record as Opposition Leader—marked by his aggressive and consistent confrontation with the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government—ultimately worked in his favour.
His wider public appeal outweighed the slight advantage Venugopal initially enjoyed among newly elected MLAs and Chennithala’s claim based on seniority.
Although the Congress did not officially project a chief ministerial face during the campaign, Satheesan was widely perceived as the central figure of “Team UDF” in the public imagination.
The final decision was taken in Delhi by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
The announcement was made by AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunsi.
Consultations were also held with former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, senior leaders including A. K. Antony, and leaders of UDF allies such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also kept informed.
Most leaders are learnt to have argued that overlooking Satheesan would amount to disregarding public sentiment.
After a decade in opposition, the UDF made a spectacular comeback, winning 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly.
The new ministry is scheduled to assume office on May 18.
Interestingly, the Congress now faces a “problem of plenty,” having secured 63 seats—one of its best performances in decades in Kerala.
Had the tally been lower, the leadership question may not have dragged on for so long.
Setback for Venugopal
The outcome comes as a significant setback for Venugopal in multiple ways.
Speculation about his possible entry into the race began early.
Though he refrained from overt public positioning during the campaign, he quietly used his influence as a senior central functionary to cultivate support among future MLAs and assist candidates during elections.
However, appointing Venugopal as chief minister would have contradicted the party’s pre-poll position against fielding sitting MPs in the Assembly elections.
Bringing him into state politics after the election would also have strengthened the perception that loyalty to the Gandhi family remains the decisive factor within the Congress.
Now that the high command has rejected his candidature, Venugopal’s influence within Kerala Congress is likely to diminish.
In retrospect, his decision to enter the race appears to have been a strategic miscalculation, given his limited direct involvement in Kerala’s day-to-day politics over recent years.
His elevation would also have necessitated two by-elections—one in the Lok Sabha constituency of Alappuzha and another Assembly by-election within six months.
Chennithala Ends Up Also-Ran Again
Despite his stature, experience and long-standing loyalty to the Congress leadership, Chennithala has once again been left disappointed.
He had served as Opposition Leader between 2016 and 2021 before giving way to Satheesan after the UDF’s defeat in 2021.
Since then, his influence within the state unit had gradually declined relative to Satheesan’s, despite his status as a Congress Working Committee (CWC) member.
Under the present circumstances, he is unlikely to accept a Cabinet berth under Satheesan.
No Major Turmoil Expected
Beyond the initial disappointment among rival camps, the decision is unlikely to trigger serious organisational turmoil within the Congress.
Neither Venugopal nor Chennithala appear to be in a position to mount a sustained challenge against Satheesan, who now enjoys the backing of the high command and alliance partners.
However, the process of Cabinet formation could generate friction.
Balancing regional and community equations while allocating ministerial berths is expected to be the Congress’s first major challenge in government.
Of the 20 Cabinet positions, the Congress is expected to retain around 10, leaving the rest to alliance partners.
UDF Workers Celebrate
Though the delay in selecting the chief minister had somewhat dampened the initial post-victory euphoria, UDF workers erupted in celebration across Kerala after Satheesan’s name was announced.
The IUML leadership welcomed the decision enthusiastically, apparently satisfied at having been consulted before the final call.
Meanwhile, the prolonged suspense also generated a wave of trolls and memes across social media, providing comic relief during the unusually long wait for Kerala’s next chief minister.
