Kerala CM Deadlock Nears End After 10-Day Delay, Congress MLAs To Meet Today

Congress is likely to announce Kerala’s CM face today after a week-long delay amid intense lobbying and growing factional tensions.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) will meet in Thiruvananthapuram at 11 am on May 14 to formally decide Kerala’s next Chief Minister after days of political suspense following the Assembly election results. The meeting assumes significance as Congress MLAs had already passed a resolution authorising the party president to choose the CLP leader. The name finalised by the Congress high command is expected to be formally proposed and approved during the meeting, bringing an end to intense speculation and lobbying within the Kerala Congress unit over the top post.

Supporters Gather

Supporters of senior Congress leaders gathered outside their residences across Kerala as the party high command held meetings in Delhi to decide the next Chief Minister.

Backers of VD Satheesan assembled at his residence in Kochi, while supporters of Ramesh Chennithala gathered in Thiruvananthapuram. Similar scenes were witnessed outside the Kochi residence of KC Venugopal, whose name has also emerged as a strong contender for the top post.

The delay in naming the Chief Minister has fuelled speculation within political circles, especially after the Congress-led alliance secured a significant victory in the state polls.

Posters Spark Row

Amid the ongoing consultations, controversial posters targeting Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra surfaced near the Wayanad District Congress Committee office, exposing sharp divisions within the party.

The posters warned the Congress high command against appointing KC Venugopal as Chief Minister and claimed Kerala voters would not forgive such a decision. One poster stated that Wayanad could become “the next Amethi” if Venugopal was chosen for the role.

Some messages directly criticised Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accusing them of making “foolish decisions” and warning that protests would intensify if Venugopal receives the post. The development has added further pressure on the Congress leadership as it prepares to take the final call on Kerala’s next Chief Minister.