Satheesan gets CM post, ending Kerala suspense

Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan staked his claim to form the next government in Kerala on Thursday after the 61-year-old was elected leader of the Congress legislative party, breaking 10 days of suspense over the party’s pick for the top job that had ratcheted up political tensions and sparked criticism.

- Vishnu Varma

Congress leader VD Satheesan after he was named as Kerala's next chief minister in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

(PTI)

Satheesan, a six-time lawmaker from Paravur and a former leader of the opposition in the state assembly, beat back stiff competition from Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, who appeared to have the backing of the party high command, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.

But Satheesan, who has never even been a state minister before, refused to back down from his claim to the chief minister’s chair, flaunting his grassroots support, his popularity among ordinary workers and the people, the work he did rebuilding the party after the shock defeat in 2021, and the strong backing of allies such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

The decision selecting Satheesan was announced in Delhi at a press conference by Congress incharge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunsi, the party's central observers for the state Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, and Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh.

“Based on all the discussions, it has been decided that VD Satheesan be appointed as the leader of the CLP," Dasmunsi said.

Hours later, the Congress legislature party met in Thiruvananthapuram and unanimously passed a resolution electing Satheesan as its leader. Satheesan later met governor Rajendra Arlekar at Lok Bhavan and handed over the list of lawmakers supporting him.

The swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium in the state capital on Monday.

According to a party leader, Satheesan will be sworn in along with all 20 ministers of the cabinet.