'Kerala CM or nothing': VD Satheesan hardens stand, Congress faces leadership deadlock
The Indian National Congress is facing a growing leadership crisis in Kerala after senior leader V D Satheesan reportedly made it clear that he is unwilling to accept any post other than Chief Minister, NDTV, quoting sources, reported.
The standoff has now entered its second week, delaying a final decision on government formation in the state and placing the party high command in a difficult position.
High command backs KC Venugopal
According to sources, the central leadership is leaning toward K C Venugopal for the top post. Venugopal is believed to enjoy the backing of Rahul Gandhi as well as a majority of newly elected legislators.
The Congress high command is leaning toward K C Venugopal for the top post. Photo: Official Facebook.
Under the proposed formula, Satheesan would be offered a key cabinet portfolio, while veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala could be made Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
Satheesan refuses secondary role
But Satheesan, who reportedly enjoys strong public support and is also said to be the preferred choice of ally Indian Union Muslim League, is unwilling to take a secondary position.
His refusal has complicated efforts to strike a compromise.
Echoes of Karnataka power struggle
The situation is drawing comparisons with the Karnataka Congress tussle between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, where a delayed leadership formula led to persistent friction between rival camps.
Congress leaders are reportedly wary of repeating that model in Kerala.
Rahul Gandhi calls key meeting
To break the deadlock, Rahul Gandhi has convened a meeting on Tuesday with former presidents and working presidents of the Kerala Congress unit, sources said.
The party high command is also believed to be unhappy with the pressure tactics used by both Satheesan and Chennithala camps.
Street show of strength
While posters and cut-outs of Venugopal have appeared outside party offices in Thiruvananthapuram, Satheesan loyalists have held demonstrations to showcase grassroots support and increase pressure on the central leadership.
If Venugopal is chosen Chief Minister, he would need to resign his Lok Sabha seat and contest an Assembly by-election.
That would also trigger a parliamentary bypoll, creating an added electoral burden for the party after a long national campaign season.
Clock is ticking
With chief ministers already sworn in across other key states that voted this cycle, the delay in Kerala is becoming politically awkward for the Congress.
The tenure of the current Assembly runs till May 23, giving the party limited time to settle the leadership question.
As of now, Congress appears trapped between legislative arithmetic, ally preferences, and competing ambitions.
Satheesan’s “Chief Minister or nothing” stand has turned Kerala into the party’s toughest post-election puzzle.
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