VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala in Delhi as Kerala CM race heats up

V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala reached Delhi as Congress stepped up consultations on Kerala's next Chief Minister. The move has sharpened focus on the high command's decision after the UDF's Assembly election victory.

In Short

• Congress high command is consulting leaders before naming Kerala’s next Chief Minister
• Satheesan’s performance as Opposition leader has strengthened his claim within UDF
• Chennithala has joined Delhi discussions as the party’s decision-making gathers pace

Congress leaders V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala arrived in Delhi on Friday as the party awaited a decision on the Chief Minister's post in Kerala after the United Democratic Front's victory in the Assembly elections. Party leaders indicated that the high command is expected to take a key call after consultations with the All India Congress Committee.

Satheesan, who was the Leader of the Opposition under the outgoing Left Democratic Front government, is among the frontrunners for the top post after the UDF won 102 seats in the election. Chennithala has also reached Delhi, with Kerala leaders set to meet AICC members as the process moves forward.

Congress leader K P Noushad said major developments were expected in Delhi as consultations continued within the party. He said, "A lot of political developments and movements have taken place so far. Some proceedings are still underway in Kerala. Major steps will be taken in Delhi, and a decision may emerge soon. V D Satheesan's contribution has been significant as Leader of the Opposition and UDF chairman, making him naturally the frontrunner in the opposition camp."

Kerala Congress president Sunny Joseph also said the announcement would come from the high command after internal democratic processes were completed. He said, "An announcement will be made by the high command. There are democratic processes within the party that will be undertaken."

The contest over the next Chief Minister gathered pace after the Congress-led UDF's victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. On Thursday, a large number of party workers marched from the Palayam Martyrs' Memorial in support of Satheesan. Earlier in the week, posters of Congress general secretary K C Venugopal were put up along Trivandrum Road as celebrations over the UDF's victory continued, adding to speculation over the Chief Ministerial race.

Apart from Satheesan, Venugopal and Chennithala are also being seen as key contenders for the post. AICC observer Mukul Wasnik said all party MLAs had passed a resolution authorising the Congress high command to decide the leader of the Congress Legislative Party at a meeting held after the Assembly election results.

- Ends
With agency inputs