Kerala's Congress Legislature Party has handed the choice of the next Chief Minister to the party's central leadership, known as the High Command, following a meeting of newly elected MLAs. The move shifts decision-making power from the state unit to New Delhi, which is standard Congress practice when the internal contest is too close to call at the state level.

Three names are in active contention: Ramesh Chennithala, a senior Congress veteran with deep roots in Kerala politics; K.C. Venugopal, the AICC General Secretary who carries significant influence with the central leadership; and V.D. Satheesan, the outgoing Leader of Opposition who led the party's campaign in the state. All three are reported to be in active outreach to MLAs to consolidate support before the High Command makes its call.

Why the High Command Call Matters

Delegating the CM pick to the AICC observers and central leadership is a double-edged move. It prevents an open factional split among Kerala MLAs but also means the final choice will reflect Delhi's strategic calculations as much as ground-level support within the state unit. AICC observers have already begun meeting legislators individually, a process designed to gauge MLA sentiment without triggering a formal floor contest.

Each of the three contenders brings a different profile. Chennithala has the longest organisational experience in Kerala and has been CM before. Venugopal's proximity to the Nehru-Gandhi family gives him an edge in High Command arithmetic. Satheesan's recent performance as Leader of Opposition in a tough political cycle has earned him credibility within the legislature party.

What to Watch Next

The pace of the AICC observers' MLA meetings will signal how quickly the High Command intends to move. A quick announcement would suggest one name has already built a decisive lead; a prolonged process would point to a tighter contest requiring central arbitration. The chosen CM will also face the immediate task of cabinet formation, where balancing regional, caste, and factional representation within Congress is typically as complex as the CM selection itself.