Thiruvananthapuram, 17 April (H.S.): Amid intensifying speculation and internal debates within the Congress over the chief ministerial face in Kerala, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala is set to meet the party’s high command in New Delhi on Thursday. While Chennithala has maintained that the discussions will primarily focus on organisational matters related to Maharashtra, sources indicate that the evolving political situation in Kerala is also likely to come up during the meeting.

Chennithala, who is in charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, is expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal is also in Delhi, further fuelling speculation about key discussions within the party’s central leadership.

At the state level, the Congress leadership has sought to rein in public discourse on the sensitive issue. KPCC president K. Sudhakaran and AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunsi have cautioned party leaders against making public statements regarding the chief ministerial position.

The latest round of debate was triggered after Sudhakaran openly backed Venugopal as a potential leader capable of providing direction to the state’s governance. His remarks found support from several leaders, including Roji M. John, Ramya Haridas, Aloysius Xavier, and Pazhakulam Madhu, who endorsed Venugopal’s leadership credentials.

Sudhakaran also highlighted Venugopal’s role in the recent Assembly elections, stating that his organisational skills, humility, and ability to connect with party workers set him apart. However, this endorsement has sparked counter-reactions within the party.

Supporters of Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan and Chennithala have expressed differing views on social media. A section backing Satheesan argued that Venugopal should continue in Delhi, given his significant role at the national level in countering the BJP.

Amid these competing narratives, sources suggest that a majority of Congress MPs have conveyed their concerns to the high command over the factional debates. Notably, Chennithala has so far maintained a cautious stance, choosing to stay away from the controversy even as the internal discussions gather momentum.

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: Amid intensifying speculation and internal debates within the Congress over the chief ministerial face in Kerala, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala is set to meet the party’s high command in New Delhi on Thursday. While Chennithala has maintained that the discussions will primarily focus on organisational matters related to Maharashtra, sources indicate that the evolving political situation in Kerala is also likely to come up during the meeting.

Chennithala, who is in charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, is expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal is also in Delhi, further fuelling speculation about key discussions within the party’s central leadership.

At the state level, the Congress leadership has sought to rein in public discourse on the sensitive issue. KPCC president K. Sudhakaran and AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunsi have cautioned party leaders against making public statements regarding the chief ministerial position.

The latest round of debate was triggered after Sudhakaran openly backed Venugopal as a potential leader capable of providing direction to the state’s governance. His remarks found support from several leaders, including Roji M. John, Ramya Haridas, Aloysius Xavier, and Pazhakulam Madhu, who endorsed Venugopal’s leadership credentials.

Sudhakaran also highlighted Venugopal’s role in the recent Assembly elections, stating that his organisational skills, humility, and ability to connect with party workers set him apart. However, this endorsement has sparked counter-reactions within the party.

Supporters of Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan and Chennithala have expressed differing views on social media. A section backing Satheesan argued that Venugopal should continue in Delhi, given his significant role at the national level in countering the BJP.

Amid these competing narratives, sources suggest that a majority of Congress MPs have conveyed their concerns to the high command over the factional debates. Notably, Chennithala has so far maintained a cautious stance, choosing to stay away from the controversy even as the internal discussions gather momentum.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman