KOCHI/NEW DELHI: Congress high command has called for consultations with the principal contenders for the post of Kerala CM, with insiders describing the selection exercise as a balancing act between "internal party backing" and "popular perception" surrounding two hopefuls. Sources said leader of the opposition VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and KC Venugopal, along with state president Sunny Joseph, will meet party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. They added that a verdict on who will lead the Kerala administration is expected by Sunday.
The exercise shifted to Delhi after AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik — who conducted a meeting with state legislators a day earlier — handed over their findings to Kharge on Friday. Meanwhile, Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor, also met Kharge and conveyed his assessment on the matter as well as on the political climate in the state.
According to sources, more than 80% of MLAs have indicated Venugopal as their favoured candidate for the top position. It has provided an edge to the AICC general secretary, who is also regarded as a trusted associate of Rahul. However, they said, the party will also need to consider the "public mood" regarding the leaders before arriving at a conclusion. In their assessment, Satheesan enjoys considerable backing among voters who regard him as the force that guided the Congress-led UDF campaign against the Left Front govt over the past five years.
Additionally, Congress would also need to account for the fact that Venugopal becoming CM would trigger two bypolls — the parliamentary constituency he would relinquish and the assembly seat he would need to contest.
Amid the uncertainty, another political arrangement is also being widely discussed within Congress circles. According to sources, there are signs that despite enjoying overwhelming support in the CLP (Congress legislature party), Venugopal could withdraw in favour of Chennithala, citing his seniority and experience. The proposal is reportedly being examined by the Venugopal and Chennithala camps in what appears to be an effort to stop Satheesan from strengthening support for the top role. They believe that Satheesan may be compelled to accept such an arrangement.
AICC observers are believed to have informed the high command that the political atmosphere in Kerala remains delicate, and a prompt decision must be made. They also recommended taking allies' opinions into account. Another factor under consideration is whether Rahul can relieve Venugopal from the role of AICC general secretary in charge of organisation, where he has, over recent years, emerged as Rahul's principal troubleshooter for party affairs.
Apart from that, he also oversees Congress floor management in Parliament and coordination with allies of the INDIA bloc. Venugopal's prominence is further reflected in the fact that he chairs the influential parliamentary committee — the Public Accounts Committee — a position traditionally held by the leader of the opposition. Party leadership would prefer persuading the contenders to endorse the eventual choice, as it would not want any friction among dissatisfied leaders to weaken the enthusiasm generated by the UDF's sweeping victory.