The ongoing stalemate within the Congress over the Kerala chief minister post has visibly irked its largest ally in the state, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which on Monday issued an indirect but pointed warning to the grand old party, cautioning that further delays could have serious political repercussions.
The main contenders for the post are Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal and outgoing assembly Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan. The IUML has publicly backed Satheesan, highlighting his role in leading the party to one of its biggest electoral victories in years. While Venugopal reportedly enjoys the support of over 40 MLAs, public sentiment appears to favor Satheesan.
Recent media reports suggest that Venugopal may have gained a slight edge in the final stage of the race, with the Congress high command planning broader consultations with state leaders on Tuesday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have summoned several senior leaders from Kerala, including party veterans and former KPCC chiefs, to Delhi for further deliberations.
During a meeting with AICC observers in Thiruvananthapuram last week, senior IUML leaders reportedly stressed that Satheesan’s aggressive campaign and leadership were instrumental in the UDF’s emphatic win. The League also warned that sidelining him at this stage would risk ignoring popular sentiment within the alliance.
Also read
- Who is likely to be new KPCC chief as Sunny Joseph is eyeing cabinet post?
- Kerala CM race: Is K.C. Venugopal ahead in the final lap? Key leaders in Delhi to attend marathon meetings
- Kerala CM race: Congress deadlock raises tensions within UDF, invites BJP mockery
- Kerala CM race: Could Priyanka Gandhi tip the scales among Venugopal, Satheesan, and Chennithala?
With 22 seats and an 11.01 per cent vote share in the recently concluded assembly elections, the IUML wields considerable influence in the CM selection process, though the party insists the final decision rests with Congress. There are rumours that the K. C. Venugopal faction has been making behind-the-scenes efforts to influence the IUML leadership. Media reports suggest that the League leadership has held intense discussions on whether to back Venugopal, given his organisational and financial contributions that helped secure the UDF’s victory.
However, IUML state president Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal maintained that electoral funding cannot outweigh public sentiment and political acceptability, according to the New Indian Express.
If the high command ultimately chooses Venugopal, it remains to be seen how the IUML, a decisive partner with a strong vote base and bargaining power within the UDF, will respond. “We have expressed our opinion that the AICC should decide on the chief minister based on ground support. Let them decide now. Once they announce, we will voice our opinion again,” IUML Kerala general secretary P.M.A. Salam told The Print.
The League has also expressed strong displeasure over the delay in CM announcement, warning that prolonged uncertainty could have political consequences. IUML Malappuram district general secretary P. Abdul Hameed said the delay had already caused dissatisfaction among party workers and the public.
“The decision has already been delayed. If it is prolonged further, there will be repercussions. We hope the AICC leadership realises this,” Hameed said, adding that citizens across the state were questioning the delay, including women voters calling to ask why they had been made to vote for the UDF.
“There is dissatisfaction everywhere. People are raising only this issue wherever we go, including marriage functions and funerals,” he noted.