VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala
NEW DELHI: After nine days of intense lobbying that fuelled rumours, Congress will end the suspense Thursday morning by naming Kerala’s next chief minister, with leader of opposition V D Satheesan, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal and veteran Ramesh Chennithala in contention.All three aspirants strongly pressed their claims before the Congress leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at a one-on-one interaction last Saturday. While Venugopal, a Rahul confidant, is said to have garnered the support of a majority of MLAs, Satheesan is widely viewed as the man who spearheaded the party and UDF charge during the five years of the Left front govt, which won a repeat term in 2021. Chennithala pitched his case on seniority and acceptability.After taking the views of senior Kerala leaders a day before, Rahul held a 40-minute discussion with Kharge on Wednesday, amid heightened anticipation in Delhi and Kerala that the CM nominee would be announced immediately.‘CM-select’s name will come in sealed envelope’ But AICC spokesman Jairam Ramesh told reporters that the high command had concluded the discussions on the next Kerala leader, and an announcement would be made on Thursday.With Congress calling the legislature party meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday afternoon, it is understood that the name may be announced there. Some party leaders claimed that the CM-select’s name would come in a sealed envelope, which would be opened among the MLAs, who would then sign the paper and proceed to the governor to stake claim to form the govt.There are concerns in Congress quarters that in view of extreme levels of lobbying by factional groups, the ultimate decision could result in disappointment and outrage among the supporters of those left out. Thus, a formula of compromise has to be offered alongside the announcement of the CM. Satheesan is said to have told the leadership that he would not join the govt, if he is not picked for the top job.During the day, eager supporters thronged the residences of Satheesan and Chennithala in Kerala expecting an announcement in the evening.Former state Congress chief V M Sudheeran, who met Rahul the evening before, said the people of the state are keen that their choice is selected (as the CM), adding that they are “worried” about it.
