 Summary of this article
- VD Satheeshan, KC Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala are the main contenders for the Chief Minister’s post
- KC Venugopal, the organisational general secretary of the Congress, is currently an MP and did not contest the assembly election
- Allies of Congress have started publicly questioning the delay in deciding the Chief Minister
The selection of a leader after an electoral victory has long troubled Congress across the country. Decisions made after prolonged “consultations” have often triggered internal crises that eventually weakened the party in power — as seen in states such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Now, the Congress in Kerala, which returned to power after a decade, appears to be heading towards one of the worst crises in its recent history. More than a week after the victory, the party high command remains indecisive, with warring factions unwilling to relent. On the ground, allies, cadres and leaders have openly expressed frustration over what they see as the leadership’s procrastination in resolving the impasse.
After failing to arrive at a consensus, the Congresscentral leadership has now summoned former presidents and other senior leaders to New Delhi in an attempt to work out a formula acceptable to all the contenders. Leaders in New Delhi expressed confidence that a decision on the Chief Minister would be taken either today or tomorrow.
The delay in announcing the chief minister has also triggered resentment among the Congress allies within the UDF.
Congress Delays Kerala CM Decision As Factional Faultlines Resurface
BY Ashlin Mathew |
