Congress on Thursday named VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of suspense and speculation over the matter.
The decision was announced in New Delhi at a press conference by AICC in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi and the party’s central observers for the state, Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik.
The three main contenders for the post of chief minister were Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.
The announcement came a day after former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for about 40 minutes, after which the Congress stated that all deliberations and discussions by the high command are complete.
VD Satheesan says, “I do not see this position as a personal achievement, but as something divine. It was KC Venugopal who coordinated all the activities of the AICC. His support was immense.
He added, “Ramesh Chennithala is also my leader. I will take all of them into complete confidence. I seek the support of every section of people in Keralam. Only a collective effort can build a new Keralam. No one can do it alone; a team can achieve it.”
KC Venugopal says Satheesan’s leadership would help the govt fulfil promises of people
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said he “wholeheartedly” welcomes the decision and congratulated Satheesan on his selection. He added that the people of Kerala have given a strong mandate in favour of the UDF, and expressed confidence that Satheesan’s leadership would help the government fulfil the aspirations and promises of the people.
He further stated that the Congress organisation is fully behind the incoming government in Kerala.
Congress workers celebrate outside AICC Kerala office after VD Satheesan
Celebrations erupted across Kerala on Thursday after V D Satheesan was selected by the Congress High Command as the next Chief Minister of the state. Satheesan was at the Contonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition, when AICC leaders announced it in New Delhi.
On 9 May, a meeting of Kerala Congress leaders was held at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi.
Congress-led UDF wins 102 seats
The United Democratic Front (UDF) led by Congress secured 102 seats out of 140 seat Keralam assembly in the recently concluded elections. Despite achieving such a decisive majority, the UDF has yet to name its candidate for Chief Minister in the state, which has drawn criticism from opposition parties.
