New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: Ending days of suspense over leadership in Kerala, the Congress on Thursday named senior leader VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister following the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) decisive victory in the Assembly elections.
The announcement came nearly 10 days after the Congress-led UDF secured a commanding majority of 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Satheesan, a six-time MLA and former Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, emerged as the party’s choice ahead of senior leaders KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala after intense internal consultations and discussions with alliance partners.
Speaking after his selection, the 61-year-old leader credited Congress workers and the UDF alliance for his elevation. “I achieved this with the support of lakhs of Congress workers and Team UDF,” Satheesan said.
Congress general secretary and Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal, who was also considered a strong contender for the top post, said he respected the party leadership’s decision and extended support to Satheesan.
“I am fully satisfied. I will stand with the high command decision,” Venugopal said, while congratulating Satheesan on his selection as Chief Minister.
Party sources indicated that the Congress leadership took into account both public sentiment and the views of alliance partners while finalising the decision. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key constituent of the UDF, had reportedly backed Satheesan’s candidature. The IUML emerged as a major force in the elections with 22 seats.
According to reports, senior Congress leaders including AK Antony, VM Sudheeran and K Muraleedharan also favoured Satheesan, citing his strong grassroots connect, aggressive opposition role and popularity among party workers.
The delay in announcing the Chief Minister’s name had triggered speculation of internal differences within the Congress, drawing comparisons with the leadership tussle witnessed in Karnataka after the Assembly elections there.
A practising lawyer at the Kerala High Court, Satheesan entered the Assembly in 2001 from the Paravur constituency in Ernakulam district and has retained the seat for six consecutive terms. He earlier served as chairman of the MG University Union while representing the Kerala Students Union, the Congress party’s student wing.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M)-led LDF is yet to decide on its Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. Reports suggest that discussions are still underway within the Left camp over whether Pinarayi Vijayan should continue to lead the opposition front after the electoral defeat.
