Cong plays down leadership speculation

All India Congress Committee general secretary K. C. Venugopal on Sunday sought to draw a clear line under growing speculation over the United Democratic Front’s chief ministerial face for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, asserting that the alliance’s focus remains firmly on building organisational strength and selecting candidates with the highest chances of victory.

- HD Bureau

Speaking after inaugurating a two-day leadership summit organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, Venugopal said that debates around personalities were premature and risked diverting attention from groundwork at the constituency level.

He underlined that “winnability” would be the principal benchmark while finalising candidates, signaling a pragmatic approach as the Congress-led front attempts to reclaim power after a decade in opposition.