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Kerala Congress Defers CM Choice to AICC After UDF Landslide Win

The Kerala Congress has formally deferred the Chief Minister selection to the AICC after the UDF's historic win in the 2026 assembly polls. KPCC President Sunny Joseph confirmed that the CLP passed a resolution authorizing the central leadership to decide the CLP leader. Congress MLA-elect Chandy Oommen declined to comment on leadership preferences, stating the party will decide at the right time. The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats in the 140-member assembly, ending the LDF's decade-long rule.

Key Points: Kerala Congress Leaves CM Choice to AICC After Landslide Win

  • UDF wins 102 seats in 140-member Kerala Assembly
  • Congress secures 63 seats as single-largest party
  • CLP passes resolution authorizing AICC to choose leader
  • Chandy Oommen declines to comment on leadership preferences
2 min read

"Up to AICC to decide": KPCC Chief Sunny Joseph on leadership race after UDF landslide win in Keralam

Kerala Congress defers CM decision to AICC after UDF's historic win in 2026 polls. KPCC chief Sunny Joseph confirms CLP resolution authorizing central leadership.

"Up to AICC to decide": KPCC Chief Sunny Joseph on leadership race after UDF landslide win in Keralam
"We authorise the AICC to take the decision with regard to the CLP leader. It is upto the AICC to decide - Sunny Joseph"

Thiruvananatpuram, May 7

Following the United Democratic Front's historic win in the 2026 Kerala Assembly Polls, the state Congress unit has formally moved the decision-making process for the next Chief Minister to the party's central leadership.

In a crucial Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held at Indira Bhavan on Thursday, the newly elected MLAs passed a single-line resolution authorising the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to appoint the CLP leader.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph, who led the party's successful campaign, confirmed that the legislators have left the final call to the party's top brass.

"We authorise the AICC to take the decision with regard to the CLP leader. It is upto the AICC to decide", he said.

Earlier, following a high-stakes Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting in Keralam, State Congress In-charge Deepa Dasmunshi on Thursday confirmed that the local leadership has officially deferred the final decision regarding key leadership roles to the party's national leadership in Delhi.

The meeting, held amidst intense speculation regarding the party's leadership in the state, concluded with a unanimous resolution. The CLP has passed a formal resolution authorising the Congress High Command to make the final call on leadership appointments.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA-elect Chandy Oommen said the party leadership would take the "right decision" regarding the Chief Ministerial face in Keralam following consultations with newly elected MLAs during the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.

Speaking to reporters after attending the CLP meeting held at the Keralam Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office, Chandy Oommen, the son of late Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, refrained from publicly commenting on leadership preferences and said he had already conveyed his views to the party leadership.

"I have said to the party leadership. I don't want to comment in public. My leadership will decide at the right time," Oommen, who secured a landslide victory, defeating CPI(M)'s K M Radhakrishnan by a huge margin of more than 52,000 votes in the Assembly elections.

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

P
Priya S
102 seats is a strong mandate! But why is the high command deciding? Shouldn't the people of Kerala have a say through their elected MLAs? This top-down approach feels undemocratic.
R
Rohit P
Chandy Oommen is being humble by saying "my leadership will decide" - but everyone knows he's the frontrunner. His father's legacy is strong. Let's see if the high command gives him the chance or goes with someone like Sunny Joseph. 🤔
N
Nikhil C
Finally! After 10 years of LDF misrule, Kerala can hope for some development. But I'm worried about the IUML winning 22 seats - hope communal forces don't get too strong in the new government.
A
Ananya R
The Congress leadership race is always dramatic! But after such a historic win, they need to focus on governance - unemployment, health, and education. Kerala deserves better after the pandemic mismanagement.
K
Kavya N
Single-line resolution to AICC... typical Congress. But at least they won. Maybe the high command will get it right this time. Just hope they don't repeat the infighting that caused the 2016 loss. 🙏

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