Thiruvananthapuram, 12 May (H.S.): The Congress high command is set to hold a fresh round of crucial discussions in New Delhi on Tuesday to finalise the party’s choice for the next Chief Minister of Kerala, amid intense lobbying and growing pressure from alliance partners to end the prolonged uncertainty.

Senior Congress leaders and former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents, including K. Muraleedharan, Mullappally Ramachandran, V.M. Sudheeran, M.M. Hassan and K. Sudhakaran, have been summoned to the national capital for consultations. Party sources said the discussions are expected to resume from around 10.30 a.m.

Apart from former KPCC chiefs, senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and KPCC working presidents A.P. Anil Kumar, P.C. Vishnunath and Shafi Parambil have also been asked to attend the meetings. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi are expected to meet the leaders individually to assess their views on the leadership issue.

Sources indicated that the Congress leadership may also once again seek the opinion of coalition partners in the United Democratic Front (UDF), many of whom have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the delay in announcing the Chief Ministerial candidate despite the alliance’s electoral victory.

According to reports emerging from Delhi, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal continues to enjoy a significant advantage in the race for the top post. Leaders aligned with Venugopal believe that a majority of the senior leaders invited for consultations are likely to support his candidature.

However, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan is understood to be banking on strong public sentiment in his favour as well as support from sections of the UDF leadership. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, meanwhile, is said to be hopeful that his seniority and administrative experience could work to his advantage amid the ongoing leadership tussle.

Party insiders said the Congress high command is finding it difficult to arrive at an immediate decision as internal assessment reports suggest that while most Congress MLAs and MPs are backing Venugopal, public opinion within Kerala appears to favour Satheesan.

The views of senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and veteran Kerala leader A.K. Antony are also expected to play a decisive role in the final decision. Sources indicated that an official announcement on the Chief Minister is likely either later on Tuesday or by Wednesday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman