There were three in the race for Kerala's CM post. And AICC picked V.D. Satheesan as its chief minister designate. While K.C. Venugopal has openly pledged support for the new CM, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala was visibly upset after being denied the top job.
It is still unclear how Rahul Gandhi managed to placate Venugopal. Some unconfirmed reports even suggested that Rahul offered him the post of AICC President once Mallikarjun Kharge steps down. However, these are just speculations until officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, the AICC is reportedly trying to bring Chennithala on board by offering him the home portfolio, which he held during the Oommen Chandy ministry in 2011-16. Unconfirmed reports also claimed that Chennithala is seeking the Speaker post for Joseph Vazhackan, a Congress leader close to him.
Vazhackan was present when Satheesan met Chennithala at his residence on Friday. Other Congress leaders at the residence included Anwar Abin Varkey, V.T. Balram, Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala and Anwar Sadath.
After the 45-minute meeting between the two leaders, Satheesan told reporters, "I met Ramesh Chennithala to seek his blessings. He has always been my leader and he continues to be so. His blessings and support will always be with me. This is a meeting of two brothers," he said.
Meanwhile, Chennithala said his entry into the Cabinet would be decided by the party.
Hours after Satheesan's visit to Chennithala's residence, Congress general secretary in-charge of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunsi, on Friday met the senior leader. When reporters asked Dasmunsi whether Chennithal would join the Cabinet, she said, "Rameshji is standing here. He will say whatever he wants to."
Chennithala's seniority will be a key factor that AICC is looking at. He became the youngest minister in 1986 at the age of 28 when he joined K. Karunakaran's Cabinet as rural development minister.