The Congress has not yet named its chief ministerial choice for Keralam, even after a high-level meeting in Delhi on Saturday that brought together party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, AICC Keralam in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, and the leading contenders.
The delay comes after the Congress-led United Democratic Front won 102 of the 140 seats in the Assembly, while the Left Democratic Front secured 35 and the BJP three.
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Suspense looms over next Kerala CM
Congress sources indicate V.D. Satheesan has surged ahead in race for Kerala Chief Minister, with 32 MLAs backing him
KC Venugopal has support from nearly 22 legislators, while Ramesh Chennithala has support of 6 pic.twitter.com/pE7AA0Icp3
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) May 10, 2026
Three names, one chair, no decision yet
Senior Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal, V.D. Satheesan, and Ramesh Chennithala have emerged as the main names in contention.
The meeting at Kharge’s residence lasted more than three hours, and observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik also took part in the discussions. Dasmunshi said the final call would come from the central leadership and told reporters, “Very soon, in due time, we will get our final decision from our high command.”
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As lobbying intensifies among the three top contenders for the chief minister’s post, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on… pic.twitter.com/XwN3hJTZHZ
— Lok Poll (@LokPoll) May 9, 2026
The lobby war spills from Delhi into Keralam
The uncertainty has also triggered visible factional activity in Keralam and Delhi.
Supporters of Venugopal and Satheesan have put up posters and banners in Thiruvananthapuram and outside Kharge’s residence, while a group of university students in Delhi gathered late at night to back Satheesan’s claim.
After the meeting, Chennithala stated that “everyone expressed their views” and that “all will accept whatever the high command decides.”
Who will be Kerala’s next CM? While the AICC is still unable to finalise the name, the political scene in #Kerala has turned dramatic. Unknown workers vandalised the flex outside the DCC office in Malappuram where the image of AICC General Secretary and top CM chair contender… pic.twitter.com/1s9XdSCOtc
— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) May 10, 2026
Internal fireworks draw a warning from the top
According to sources cited by The New Indian Express, Rahul Gandhi expressed displeasure over the open lobbying and urged leaders to rein in their supporters.
The report said he was unhappy that the contest had begun almost immediately after the results and warned that the internal rift was damaging the party’s mandate.
Dasmunshi later said Kharge and Rahul would take the final decision, adding that May 23 was the deadline for government formation.
