KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner For Kerala CM Post
Congress leadership likely to finalise chief ministerial choice soon after UDF’s sweeping victory
- K. C. Venugopal leads race for Kerala Chief Minister post
- Congress observers submit report to Mallikarjun Kharge
- UDF secures massive mandate with 102 seats in Kerala Assembly
- Swearing-in ceremony expected on Monday in Thiruvananthapuram
GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 8th May: Senior Congress leader K. C. Venugopal has emerged as the leading contender for the post of Chief Minister of Kerala following the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s decisive victory in the Assembly elections, party sources said on Friday.
The development came after Congress observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik submitted their report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
According to sources, the Congress leadership is keen to finalise the name quickly to ensure a smooth transition before the swearing-in ceremony, which is expected to be held on Monday.
Venugopal, currently the Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP from Alappuzha, is reportedly ahead of other senior leaders including V. D. Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala.
Party workers have openly projected Venugopal as the “architect” of the UDF’s electoral success, with posters outside Congress offices describing him as the alliance’s “hero”.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front secured a commanding victory in the 140-member Assembly, winning 102 seats with allies.
The Congress itself won 63 seats, while the Indian Union Muslim League secured 22 and the Kerala Congress won seven seats.
The outgoing Left Democratic Front led by Pinarayi Vijayan was reduced to just 35 seats.
Sources said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Actor-politician Vijay may also attend amid growing political engagement between the Congress and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam following post-poll developments in Tamil Nadu.
