Thiruvananthapuram: After days of waiting, the Congress named VD Satheesan as the next Kerala Chief Minister on Thursday. He was elected as the leader of the Congress’ legislative party at the meeting of the party MLAs in Thriruvananthapuram. His name was announced after much consultation within the party.
As per reports, Satheesan is likely to take the oath as chief minister on May 18. Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, party chief ministers, and other leaders of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), are expected to attend his oath ceremony.
Reasons why Congress named Satheesan as the next Kerala Chief Minister:
Backed by allies: Satheesan was backed by United Democratic Front (UDF) allies, particularly the Indian Union Muslim League. The IUML has emerged as a major force in the 102-member UDF bloc. The party has 22 MLAs in the Assembly.
Opposition leader: He was the biggest Opposition face during the tenure of the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the ruling Left Democratic Front government in the state. He successfully built UDF’s political narrative, accusing the LDF government of corruption, governance failures, law-and-order situation and the state’s deteriorating finances. During the recent campaign, he projected confidence of the alliance’s win in the state.
Rahul Gandhi-AK Anthony meeting: As per reports, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi consulted with senior party leader and Former Union Minister AK Anthony. During their meeting, Anthony is believed to have said that someone who enjoyed public support must be made the chief minister.
Feedback from grassroots: Satheesan’s name for Chief Ministership got strengthened due to strong feedback on the ground supporting his case. Congress workers thought that someone who headed the campaign must be named as next chief minister of Kerala.
Generational shift: The naming of Satheesan as the next chief minister is seen as part of a broader generational shift within the party. Satheesan (61) is among the younger leaders in the party as compared to various Congress veterans.