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Congress Leaders Meet Sonia Gandhi Amid Keralam CM Race After Landslide Win

Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala met Sonia Gandhi amid speculation over Keralam's next Chief Minister. The party-led UDF secured a thumping victory with 102 seats in the 140-member assembly. Observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik have been appointed to gather MLAs' views. Venugopal and Chennithala are key contenders alongside VD Satheesan.

Key Points: Keralam CM Race: Venugopal, Chennithala Meet Sonia Gandhi

  • Congress leaders meet Sonia Gandhi for CM decision
  • UDF won 102 seats in 140-member Keralam assembly
  • Venugopal, Chennithala, Satheesan are key contenders
  • Observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik appointed
2 min read

KC Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala arrive at Sonia Gandhi's residence as speculation on Keralam next CM grows

KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala meet Sonia Gandhi as Congress picks next Keralam CM after UDF's 102-seat win. Observers appointed to decide.

"Whatever the high command decides, all the Congress leaders will accept it. - Ramesh Chennithala"

New Delhi, May 6

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday reached the residence of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as the party is yet to decide on Keralam's next Chief Minister after the thumping victory in the assembly elections.

KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala are among the key contenders in the race for Keralam's top position, alongside Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan.

Earlier, Chennithala said, "The party will take a final decision on all these issues. In Keralam, we got a spectacular victory... Now, the other things will be decided by the Congress high command. There are several leaders in the Congress party, but whatever the high command decides, all the Congress leaders will accept it."

Congress has begun the process of government formation in Keralam, where the party-led UDF registered a thumping victory in the assembly polls, winning 102 seats in the 140-member assembly.

Sources said that the party has appointed its leaders, Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, as observers to know the views of its newly elected MLAs to decide the choice of Chief Minister.

Earlier, KC Venugopal expressed his gratitude to the people of Keralam, stating, "The people of Kerala have bestowed their faith in the Congress party and UDF alliance. They have faith in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge ji."

The UDF's win has been seen as a major political shift in the state, reflecting the growing support for Congress and its allies while reinforcing the party's influence under the guidance of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Meanwhile, posters of Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal were put up along Trivandrum Road on Tuesday as part of celebrations following the Congress-led United Democratic Front's (UDF) sweeping victory in the Keralam Assembly 2026 elections, even as speculation intensifies over the alliance's chief ministerial candidate.

The UDF secured a commanding 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly with the declaration of the results of the April 9 elections on Monday, marking a decisive mandate and a significant political shift in the state after a decade. The Congress emerged as the single largest party within the alliance with 63 seats, while its key ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), won 22 seats.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Honestly, I'm a bit wary of all this speculation. The party is giving the impression that there's internal conflict. Can't we just announce the CM and focus on governance? But good to see Kerala voting for development over divisive politics. My vote is for VD Satheesan - he's articulate and has the youth connect.
R
Ramesh W
I'm from Trivandrum and I saw those Venugopal posters yesterday. The man has worked tirelessly for the party, even during the tough years. But let's not forget Chennithala's sacrifices. Actually, why are we even debating? Both are capable. The high command should just pick one and end this suspense. Kerala deserves stable leadership.
K
Karthik V
I think the IUML's 22 seats factor will also weigh in the decision-making. They probably want a leader who respects the coalition. Venugopal has better rapport with them, I feel. But ultimately, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi know what's best. This is democracy at work, unlike some parties where one person decides everything.
M
Michael C
As someone following Indian politics from abroad, this is fascinating. The UDF's win shows that coalition politics can still deliver. But I worry about the delay in choosing a CM. In most democracies, the leader is declared before elections. This post-poll speculation might create uncertainty. Hope they resolve it quickly for Kerala's sake.
T
Tanya I
Kerala has once again proven that it votes for secular and progressive forces. But the CM selection should reflect the diversity of the state. We need someone who understands both the northern

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