Congress Legislature Party authorises High Command to pick next Kerala CM; AICC observers meet MLAs

The Congress Legislative Party, which met in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, May 7, 2026, passed a resolution empowering the High Command to choose the next Chief Minister of Kerala, as the three leaders in the fray are embroiled in intense negotiations to secure the support of MLAs.

At Indira Bhavan, headquarters of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken along with AICC general secretary and Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi are currently attending one-on-one meetings with 63 legislators of the Congress party to register their choices for the CM’s post.

Following the victory of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Assembly elections, a three-way fight had begun for the CM’s post with outgoing Leader of Opposition VDSatheesan, AICC general secretary (organization) and MP KCVenugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.

The MPs, who left the hall one after another after the meeting with the observers, remained silent about their preferences.

However, former KPCC president K.Sudhakaran, who is understood to be contesting on behalf of Mr. Venugopal, told media persons that the Congress has “a lot of good leaders”. “We not only have Satheesan but also a lot of good leaders,” he said.

Mr. Sudhakaran, who had initially rebelled against the rejection of candidacy ahead of the Assembly elections, was unhappy with the Kerala leadership’s stance of not allowing MPs to contest the elections.

Leaders of the UDF alliance partners, including the Indian Union Muslim League, will also meet AICC observers on Thursday afternoon to finalize their choices for the CM post.

However, Congress leader Mathew Kuzhalnadan said there was no need for allies to state their stand on the Congress Legislature Party leader. “Does the Congress give any opinion on who should be the legislative party leader of Muslim League or RSP?” asked Mr. Kuzhalnadan.

It was learned that before the meeting with observers, Mr Satheesan’s supporters had demanded that Ms Dasmunsi not be allowed to attend the meeting. However, this request was not taken into account. The observers will convey the views they have collected from MLAs, MPs and alliance partners to the High Command. The High Command is expected to make the final call after talks with the three contentious leaders.

Mr. Venugopal claims the support of the majority of Congress MLAs, but Mr. Satheesan, according to Congress sources, has steadfastly stuck to his stand that he will choose not to be part of the ministry unless he is given the CM post. He is of the view that along with the support of MLAs and MPs, the views of allies and public sentiment should also be taken into consideration.

The underlying tension in the race for the CM post has spilled over onto the streets with flexible boards appearing in support of and against the three leaders in various parts of the state. Flexible hoardings in support of Mr. Venugopal appeared on the road leading to the KPCC headquarters, while banners were unfurled outside the District Congress Committee office in Alappuzha asking Mr. Venugopal, currently the Alappuzha MP, not to force the by-elections. The banners in Alappuzha were later removed by Congress workers.