Kerala CM Race Turns Bitter Amid Poster War
Congress faces growing internal tensions as supporters clash over chief ministerial choice in Kerala
- Posters target KC Venugopal amid Kerala CM suspense
- Rahul Gandhi’s warning against pressure tactics ignored
- Supporters of Satheesan and Chennithala intensify campaign
- BJP attacks Congress over delay in leadership decision
GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 13th May: The Congress leadership’s efforts to contain infighting over the Kerala Chief Minister’s post faced a setback on Wednesday as fresh posters targeting senior party leader KC Venugopal surfaced in Wayanad.
The posters also warned Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra against selecting Venugopal as the next Chief Minister despite the Congress-led UDF’s massive election victory.
One poster read, “KC might be your bag bearer but people of Kerala never forgive you,” while another warned that “Wayanad can be the next Amethi,” referring to Rahul Gandhi’s 2019 Lok Sabha defeat in Uttar Pradesh.
The development came despite Rahul Gandhi recently cautioning party leaders and supporters against turning the chief ministerial race into a public pressure campaign.
The Congress high command has reportedly been trying to build consensus around KC Venugopal, who is believed to enjoy backing from a majority of MLAs and sections of the central leadership.
However, supporters of VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala have intensified demonstrations, poster campaigns and public shows of support across the state.
Sources said the Congress leadership was considering a formula under which Satheesan could hold a major cabinet role in a government led by Venugopal, while Chennithala could become Assembly Speaker.
However, Satheesan has reportedly made it clear he would accept nothing short of the Chief Minister’s post.
The leadership is said to be cautious about upsetting Satheesan, who has led the Congress campaign against the Left government in Kerala and enjoys backing from ally Indian Union Muslim League.
Party insiders also believe Satheesan has strong public support among Congress workers and voters.
The Congress has yet to announce its chief ministerial choice more than a week after the election results, leading to criticism from rivals.
Shehzad Poonawalla mocked the Congress over the prolonged delay, saying the party appeared to have “a plan to give five Chief Ministers in five years”.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front had secured a sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly elections, ending a decade of Left rule in the state.
