KC Venugopal Reacts As Congress Names VD Satheesan Kerala CM Candidate
Congress names VD Satheesan as Kerala CM candidate; KC Venugopal responds to decision.
The Congress high command’s decision to appoint VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala has received public endorsement from senior leader KC Venugopal, who had been among the frontrunners for the top post. The announcement, which ended nearly 10 days of internal deliberations, marks a significant leadership development within the state unit of the party.
Following the official declaration, Venugopal expressed full support for the decision, stating that he stood firmly with the party leadership’s choice. He said he accepted the outcome of the internal process and welcomed Satheesan’s selection as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the incoming United Democratic Front (UDF) government.
The formal announcement was made at a press briefing in Delhi by All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi, along with central observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik. Satheesan, a six-time MLA, was selected over other senior contenders including Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala after consultations involving party leadership and state representatives.
Also Read: Congress Likely To Decide Kerala CM Soon Amid IUML Support For VD Satheesan
In his remarks, Venugopal said the decision followed discussions involving senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who were reportedly engaged in the consultation process. He added that he had shared his views when asked and that the collective leadership had ultimately taken a final call, which all party members were expected to respect.
He further extended congratulations to Satheesan and expressed confidence that the new government would meet public expectations in Kerala. Venugopal emphasised that the party had secured a strong mandate through the United Democratic Front and said that all leaders were united in supporting the incoming administration’s agenda.
According to party sources, Venugopal was considered a strong contender for the chief ministerial post until the final stages of deliberations in New Delhi. However, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally within the UDF, is reported to have backed Satheesan’s candidature. Some internal assessments also indicated that Satheesan was reluctant to take on a subordinate role in the state government, reinforcing his position as the eventual consensus choice.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Meets KC Venugopal Amid Kerala CM Selection Discussions
