During a series of meetings held with AICC central observers, 47 of the 63 elected Congress MLAs – including KPCC president Sunny Joseph – proposed Venugopal’s name as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. The party high command is expected to announce its chief ministerial candidate by the end of this week.
Apart from Sunny, Sandeep ji. Warrier, Sajeev Joseph, T.O. Mohan and Usha Vijayan were also among the elected MLAs who proposed Venugopal’s name. This was a major blow to the other contender for the top post, Ramesh Chennithala, as his close aide, I.C. Balakrishnan had also supported both Venugopal and Chennithala.
Sources indicated that the former opposition leader had the support of eight elected MLAs. The current leader of the opposition, V.D. Satheesan – widely considered the popular choice for the post – had the support of six MLAs. Both Satheesan and Chennithala met the supervisors and staked their claim for the post. Venugopal did not attend this meeting.
Apart from the 63 MLAs, Maken and Wasnik held separate meetings with Congress MPs and senior party leaders to finalize their choices. While three former KPCC presidents supported Satheesan, several senior leaders expressed their support for Venugopal. The observers, who have now returned to New Delhi, are set to submit their report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Sources further said that if deemed necessary, the high command will call Sunny, the three KPCC working presidents, as well as Satheesan and Chennithala for consultations.
Meanwhile, during the Congress Legislature Party meeting, it was unanimously decided that the right to decide the name of the next Chief Minister should be given to Kharge. Sources said that after completion of due processes, the high command will announce the next chief minister by Saturday or Sunday; And the new chief minister – along with two senior Congress leaders and leaders of other UDF constituents – will take oath of office within two days of the announcement.
