The Hindu reports: The Congress’s bid to name a Chief Minister for Kerala remained at an impasse despite Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi holding consultations with the three main contenders, AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal and senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala and V.D. Satheesan, and KPCC president Sunny Joseph for over three hours on Saturday (May 9, 2026).AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik were also present at the meeting.
The consultations were held together and individually. Final decision on Kerala CM turns into political cliff-hanger as ball now in Congress High Command’s court“An appropriate decision will be taken by the high command in due course,” Deepa Dasmunsi, party general secretary in charge of Kerala, told the media after the meeting. Asked to specify further, she said the high command had time until May 23 to finalise the candidate.
Background
Flanked by the senior Congress leadership from Kerala, she urged party workers to refrain from the embarrassing public display of their chief ministerial choices. The leaders, too, made individual appeals to party workers and sympathisers to remove all boards, banners and posters put up in public places in support of their favourite chief ministerial candidates.Sources said the high-stakes discussions were marked by intense posturing and competing claims by the contenders. The Central leadership would hold no further consultations with the aspirants, they said.
Key facts
- Venugopal and senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala and V.D.
- Satheesan, and KPCC president Sunny Joseph for over three hours on Saturday (May 9, 2026).AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik were also present at the meeting.
- The consultations were held together and individually.
What this means
The high command, it is learnt, will take a final decision after considering the claims of each faction, along with the views of Congress MLA-designates and constituents of the United Democratic Front (UDF). Jockeying for Congress leadership erupts into open, manifesting as competing marches and vying poster campaignsWhile the consultations in New Delhi were led by Mr. Gandhi joined in, hoping to reach a consensus.
Senior leaders said Mr. Gandhi were visibly dismayed by the poster wars and public marches across Kerala over the past few days, rooting for their favourite leaders, which often appeared discourteous to other leaders.Workers removed the aggressive flex boards, which sullied the party’s image in the State, from many parts following the appeal even as new boards supporting other candidates surfaced.Governance is the ultimate currency in KeralaEarlier, Mr. Kharge had also directed the State leadership to take strict action against those violating party discipline and decorum in connection with the Chief Ministerial controversy in Kerala.
Originally reported by The Hindu. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
