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Congress Leaders Arrive in Keralam for CM Selection After Landslide Win

Congress observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik arrived in Thiruvananthapuram for the CLP meeting to select the next Chief Minister. The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats in the Keralam Assembly, ending the LDF's decade-long rule. Congress emerged as the single-largest party with 63 seats, while IUML secured 22 seats. The high command will decide the CM face after consultations with newly elected MLAs and senior leaders.

Key Points: Congress Leaders in Keralam for CM Selection After UDF Win

  • Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik arrive for CLP meeting
  • UDF secured 102 seats in 140-member Keralam Assembly
  • Congress won 63 seats, IUML 22
  • Decision on CM face to be made after high command consultations
2 min read

'Let us see what the MLAs want': Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik head for Congress CLP meeting to select CM after UDF's win in Keralam

Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik head to Congress CLP meeting in Keralam to select the next Chief Minister after UDF's sweeping victory in Assembly elections.

"We have come here to attend the CLP meeting. Let us see what the MLAs want. - Ajay Maken"

Thiruvananthapuram, May 7

Congress leaders and AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik arrived at the Keralam Pradesh Congress Committee office in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday to attend the Congress Legislative Party meeting following the party-led UDF's sweeping victory in the Keralam Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Ajay Maken said, "We have come here to attend the CLP meeting. Let us see what the MLAs want."

The CLP meeting assumes significance as the Congress leadership begins consultations to decide the Chief Ministerial face in Keralam after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a decisive mandate in the Assembly elections.

Earlier in the day, senior Keralam Congress leaders, including VD Satheesan, K Suresh and Deepa Dasmunshi, arrived at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram to meet the two observers.

Congress MP K Suresh said the process of appointing observers after elections was a standard practice followed by the Congress high command.

"This is a part of the process by the Congress high command. Every election, whether Congress gets a majority or not, the high command sends observers for selecting and electing the CLP leader," Suresh told reporters.

He added that Mukul Wasnik's earlier experience as Keralam in-charge and Ajay Maken's senior organisational role made them suitable for assessing the political situation in the state.

"After their evaluation with the various newly elected MLAs, they will send a report to the high command. Based on their report, and after the high command talks to senior leaders, they will take an appropriate decision," Suresh said.

Asked about his own aspirations, the Congress MP said he would abide by the decision of the party leadership.

"I will obey the decision to be taken by the party high command," he stated.

The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats in the 140-member Keralam Assembly, ending a decade-long rule of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Congress emerged as the single-largest party in the alliance with 63 seats, while its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), secured 22 seats.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Honestly, this process feels like a charade. The high command already has their preferred candidate in mind. Remember how they handled Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh? 😒 Congress should learn from their past mistakes and give genuine freedom to state units. Keralam's voters deserve better than backroom deals.
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Michael C
As someone observing from abroad, this internal democracy is interesting. But with 63 seats, Congress has a clear mandate. They should pick a Malayali leader who understands local issues - not some Delhi-wallah. IUML's 22 seats means they'll have influence though. Coalition politics in India is always fascinating! 🤔
K
Kavya N
Finally LDF out! 🎉 But Congress should remember why they lost last time - internal squabbles and corruption. My worry is that if they pick someone weak like some old guard, they'll repeat history. VD Satheesan is the best bet - energetic, articulate, and hasn't been tainted by scandals. Hope the observers see that.
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Nikhil C
The process is fine in theory but in practice it's usually a rubber stamp. Remember when they sent observers to Punjab and the MLAs had no real say? 😑 Keralam has a strong political culture - let the MLAs decide. Also, IUML will want a piece of the pie. This is going to be more about power-sharing than merit.
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Rohit L
Congratulations to UDF! But as a Malayali, I'm concerned about factionalism within Congress. The 'A' and 'I' groups are notorious for infighting. If they don't unite behind one leader quickly, LDF will exploit this in by

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