After days of discussions among state party leaders, central observers and the high command, the Congress on Saturday announced that it has not finalised its chief minister in Kerala.
Along with V.D. Satheesan, Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Kerala assembly, names of veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala and AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal were among leaders vying for the top post.
The high command will consider not just how many MLAs are backing whom. Two other factors will also weigh heavily: the social and coalition dynamics in Kerala, and the views of the alliance partners. So these three conditions together will be taken into account.
The high command will also speak to senior leaders like A.K. Antony before arriving at a final decision.
The latest decision comes after Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge met the three leaders separately at the AICC headquarters in Delhi in the evening. AICC general secretary in-charge for Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi said Kharge and Rahul will take a final decision.
Talking about protests in Kerala over the CM candidate, Dasmunshi said some unruly incidents have happened that are not part of Congress culture. "All Congress MLAs have signed one-line resolution authorising high command to make the final decision," she added.
All three leaders addressed media after the meetings, urging partyworkers to remove billboards pledging support to the CM candidates.
This comes a day after Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, the two central observers, appointed by the High Command submitted their report to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday. While submitting their report, Maken and Wasnik discussed the observations of the new legislators and also consulted party MPs and some former MPs.
It has been reported that most of the party MLAs back Venugopal as chief minister, while the lower-rung party functionaries and public favours Satheesan. Ramesh Chennithala has staked claim to the CM post based on his seniority in the party.
