When will Indian National Congress announce Kerala CM? Key meeting today | Here’s what we know

The Congress-led United Democratic Front returned to power in Kerala on May 4, ending a decade of Left rule. But more than a week after the election victory, the alliance is yet to announce its chief ministerial candidate.

As suspense over the top post continues, senior leaders of the Indian National Congress have headed to New Delhi for consultations with the party high command to finalise Kerala’s new leadership.

Former Kerala Congress chiefs K Muraleedharan and VM Sudheeran confirmed they had been invited by the party leadership for discussions in the national capital.

Sudheeran, who headed the party’s Kerala unit between 2014 and 2017, said he was surprised by the invitation but expected discussions to focus on the political situation in the state.

“It was a surprise when they called me. I assume I will be asked about the current political atmosphere in Kerala, and I will give clear answers,” he said.

Muraleedharan, meanwhile, indicated that the suspense could end soon, saying the Congress leadership was likely to announce its chief ministerial choice within the next 48 hours.

“When the two AICC observers came to Kerala last week, I relayed my opinion. I will stick to the same opinion. Whatever the high command decides, all leaders are bound to accept it,” he said.

Race for Kerala CM post intensifies

Ever since the Congress-led bloc secured 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, several senior leaders have emerged as contenders for the chief minister’s post.

Among the frontrunners are Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala.

The delay in naming a chief minister has triggered criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, with Narendra Modi accusing the Congress of being consumed by internal power struggles instead of focusing on governance.

Senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan also attacked the Congress, saying the indecision reflected disrespect toward the people of Kerala.

“It shows the Congress does not care for the people of the state. Even after getting a massive mandate, the Congress couldn’t come up with a name unanimously. Congressmen are after power and not for the people,” he said.