New Delhi, May 9: As the Congress deliberates on the next Chief Minister of Kerala, state unit chief Sunny Joseph stated that he will attend a meeting on the matter at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. “I am going for a discussion with the AICC president at Kharge ji’s house. The high command will announce the decision on the Chief Minister,” he told reporters.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a decisive victory in the Kerala Assembly elections. The Congress Legislature Party in the state has empowered the party leadership to decide on the next Chief Minister.
Kerala Congress (Joseph) leader and MLA-elect from Thodupuzha, Apu John Joseph, on Saturday emphasized that his party is entitled to two ministerial positions in the incoming UDF government. He added that the leadership will finalize the allocation of ministerial portfolios after the Chief Minister's decision is made. “Ministerial portfolios will also be decided later by the leadership, once the Chief Ministership is settled. The party will take the right decisions at the right time,” he said.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader PJ Kurien highlighted the party’s readiness to handle any political situation, including by-elections, amid ongoing discussions on leadership and cabinet formation. Speaking in Pathanamthitta, he said, “Congress has the strength to face not just one, but any number of by-elections. Opinions of elected representatives reflect public sentiment.”
Among the key contenders for the Chief Ministerial post are Congress leaders VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala.
In response, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan criticized the Congress, pointing to visible infighting over the Chief Ministerial position.
