New Delhi: Senior Congress leader VD Satheesan is likely to be sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Keralam on May 18, with the Congress-led alliance expected to form a full 21-member cabinet.
The Congress Legislature Party on Thursday unanimously elected Satheesan as its leader in the Kerala Assembly, according to PTI.
Congress Legislature Party elects Satheesan
The resolution proposing Satheesan’s name was moved during the CLP meeting by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunny Joseph and seconded by senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala did not attend the meeting but reportedly sent a letter extending his support to Satheesan, sources said.
The meeting took place just hours after the All India Congress Committee officially announced Satheesan as the party’s choice for the chief minister’s post.
Congress leaders to meet Governor
Congress leaders are now expected to meet Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and submit letters of support from the United Democratic Front alliance partners to stake claim to form the government.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front returned to power in Kerala after defeating the Left Democratic Front in the Assembly elections. The results were declared on May 4.
Delay over CM choice sparked discussion
While several other states announced their chief ministers soon after election results, the Congress party took around ten days to finalise its Kerala chief ministerial candidate. The delay triggered political discussion in the state.
Before the final decision, senior leaders from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee and former state unit chiefs held meetings with the Congress high command in Delhi.
Apart from Satheesan, senior leaders KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala were also considered among the frontrunners for the top post.