Thiruvananthapuram, 07 May (H.S.): The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Kerala on Thursday unanimously passed a one-line resolution authorising the party high command to appoint the next Chief Minister of the State, amid intense lobbying and consultations within the party following the UDF’s victory in the Assembly elections.

The meeting of the newly elected Congress MLAs, held at Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, empowered AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to take the final decision on the election of the CLP leader, who will subsequently assume office as Chief Minister. Central observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik attended the crucial meeting and initiated consultations with MLAs soon after the session concluded.

The one-line resolution was moved by KPCC president Sunny Joseph and seconded by Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan. Following the formal meeting, the AICC observers began holding one-on-one interactions with the newly elected MLAs to assess the mood within the party and gather feedback on leadership preferences. The observers are also expected to meet leaders of UDF constituent parties before submitting their report to the Congress high command in New Delhi.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the observers, Vattiyoorkavu MLA-elect K Muraleedharan said the Congress leadership was likely to announce the Chief Minister by Sunday. The process, however, has been marked by intense internal manoeuvring among various camps within the party.

Sources indicated that a section led by V D Satheesan had earlier objected to the participation of AICC general secretary Deepa Das Munshi in the consultation process. However, she was reportedly present during the discussions with MLAs.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader K Sudhakaran has submitted a letter to the central observers backing AICC general secretary K C Venugopal for the Chief Minister’s post. Sudhakaran also remarked that “there is not just one Satheesan in the Congress, but many Satheesans,” signalling opposition to any attempt to project a single dominant claimant for the top post.

Rahul Gandhi has reportedly instructed party leaders not to be guided by factional interests and insisted that merit alone should determine the choice of Chief Minister.

Senior leaders including V M Sudheeran, Prof. P J Kurien and Kodikunnil Suresh also met the central observers during the day. According to indications emerging from the consultations, around 45 MLAs are believed to have expressed support for K C Venugopal, while seven each reportedly backed V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala. Four MLAs are learnt to have maintained a neutral stand.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman