Suspense over Kerala CM choose continues: Who’re the highest contenders?
Following the top of the Left Democratic Entrance’s rule after the Congress-led United Democratic Entrance emerged victorious within the Kerala Meeting elections, deliberations proceed over the choose for the subsequent chief minister.

Because the Congress committee submitted its report on Friday, three candidates are within the race.
On Friday, two All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers, Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, submitted a report back to celebration president Mallikarjun Kharge, outlining the preferences of celebration MLAs for the Kerala CM publish, HT reported earlier.
Who’re the highest candidates
In line with the report, three candidates are probably, together with the outgoing chief of opposition in Kerala meeting, VD Satheesan, former minister Ramesh Chennithala and AICC basic secretary KC Venugopal.
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VD Satheesan
Satheesan took over because the chief of the opposition after defeats in 2016 and 2021. In 2024, beneath him, UDF gained 18 of 20 seats within the Lok Sabha elections. As one of many distinguished faces of the United Democratic Entrance (UDF) in Kerala politics, Satheesan has represented the Paravur constituency for a number of consecutive phrases.
On Friday, pro-Satheesan supporters from Congress held demonstrations throughout Kerala demanding that he be made the subsequent CM and allegedly tore down posters and flex boards of AICC chief Ok C Venugopal, PTI reported.
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KC Venugopal
Aside from Satheesan, AICC basic secretary KC Venugopal is one other frontrunner to the publish. Venugopal is a key candidate as a consequence of his proximity to the Congress management, since he performed a key function within the 2026 marketing campaign as an help of Rahul Gandhi.
Previous to the election outcomes, celebration chief Tariq Anwar hinted as celebration would select Venugopal. Requested whether or not KC Venugopal can turn into CM regardless of not having contested within the Meeting polls, Anwar stated that if the Congress basic secretary was , he must bear the requisite course of.
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Ramesh Chennithala
A former dwelling minister and Chief of the Opposition from 2016 to 2021, Chennithala comes with robust hyperlinks to the celebration. Within the 2026 meeting elections, Chennithala gained from the Haripad seat for a sixth time period.
The brand new Chief Minister will change the outgoing Kerala Chief Minister and senior CPI(M) chief, Pinarayi Vijayan.
Earlier, Congress chief Ok Muraleedharan, who gained from the Vattiyoorkavu Meeting constituency, stated that the choice on the chief minister was prone to be made inside two days of Saturday’s discussions.
He stated the Congress had a longtime process for choosing the CM, beneath which the celebration excessive command takes a remaining choice after consulting MLAs and senior leaders.
Individuals conscious of the matter had informed HT earlier that AICC IS engaged on discovering a components that may fulfill all three leaders to forestall an inner revolt.
The UDF gained 102 out of the 140 seats within the Meeting polls, whereas the LDF bought 35 seats, and three have been taken by the BJP.

