Who Will Lead Kerala?: Inside Congress' Power Struggle After UDF’s 102-Seat Sweep
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: K C Venugopal, V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala have emerged as the leading contenders for the post of Kerala chief minister as the Congress High Command continues to delay its final decision, even a week after the Assembly election results were announced. The uncertainty has created intense political discussions within the United Democratic Front (UDF), despite the alliance securing a sweeping victory in the state.
The UDF returned to power with a commanding performance by winning 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a major defeat and managed to secure only 35 seats. However, the celebrations inside the Congress camp have slowly turned into anxious waiting as party leaders remain divided over who should lead the new government. Moreover, the delay has increased pressure on the party leadership in Delhi, which is now facing the challenges of balancing experience, public image, and internal unity.
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Among the strongest names in the race is K C Venugopal, one of the most influential leaders in the party at the national level. The Alappuzha MP has served the party in several major positions, including General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and party in-charge of Karnataka. He also handled additional organisational responsibilities within the Congress and is considered a close strategist of the national leadership.
Furthermore, Venugopal has administrative experience both at the Centre and in Kerala. He served as Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Power during the UPA government and earlier held the Tourism and Devaswom portfolios in Kerala. Supporters believe his national experience, organisational discipline, and strong connection with the High Command make him the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post. Reports also suggest that a majority of newly elected MLAs and several MPs have informally expressed support for him.
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However, V.D. Satheesan has also emerged as a powerful claimant due to his growing popularity among young legislators and party workers. Representing the Paravur Assembly constituency since 2001, Satheesan is known for his aggressive speeches inside the Assembly and his strong opposition role against the LDF government during the previous term.
Moreover, his image as a modern and energetic leader has helped him build support among the younger generation within the Congress. As Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, Satheesan played a major role in raising issues related to governance, corruption, and public welfare. Many party workers believe his leadership could help the Congress maintain long-term political stability in Kerala and attract new voters in the coming years.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala continues to remain a serious contender because of his long administrative and political experience. Chennithala previously served as Kerala’s Home and Vigilance Minister and later became the Leader of the Opposition in the 14th Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Known for his organisational skills and deep connection with grassroots Congress workers, he has remained one of the party’s most experienced faces in Kerala politics for decades. Furthermore, his supporters argue that his seniority and familiarity with governance make him capable of handling a coalition government effectively. Although some leaders believe the party should move towards younger leadership, Chennithala still commands respect among senior Congress members and traditional supporters across the state.
Meanwhile, the Congress High Command has intensified consultations in Delhi to avoid internal divisions after the historic victory. Several prominent leaders, including Mullappally Ramachandran, V M Sudheeran, K Muraleedharan, Shafi Parambil, T Siddique, P C Vishnunath, Roji M John, A P Anil Kumar, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, and Sunny Joseph, were called for discussions regarding the leadership issue. The meetings are reportedly focused on finding a consensus candidate who can maintain unity inside the party while also ensuring stable governance in Kerala.
However, the prolonged delay has already started creating uncertainty among party workers and supporters who expected a quick announcement after the decisive mandate. Political observers believe the final decision may depend not only on legislative support but also on the High Command’s long-term strategy for the Congress party in Kerala. Until then, the suspense over Kerala’s next chief minister continues to dominate political discussions across the state.
