Congress leader VD Satheesan, who has been chosen as Kerala’s next Chief Minister on Thursday, sought to strike a conciliatory and united tone by crediting fellow contenders KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala for the Congress-led alliance’s sweeping Assembly election victory, asserting that the mandate was a collective achievement and not a personal triumph.
Amid days of intense lobbying and factional manoeuvring within the party over the Chief Minister’s post, Satheesan praised Venugopal for coordinating the AICC’s efforts in Kerala on a daily basis and acknowledged Chennithala’s role as campaign committee chairperson, saying both leaders had made crucial contributions to the party’s emphatic return to power.
“I do not see this as a personal achievement. A large number of people contributed to this victory. The AICC played the biggest role, and it was KC Venugopal who coordinated all the efforts. He was in constant touch with us every day, giving directions and offering guidance,” the Chief Minister-elected said.
He added, “Similarly, Ramesh Chennithala, who served as the campaign committee chairman, also played a key role in this victory. He is my leader and a dear colleague. Going forward, I will carry everyone along and move ahead with their trust and support.”
The Congress, ending 10 days of suspense and intense deliberations, named VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala after the Congress-led alliance stormed back to power with 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly. All three senior leaders had reportedly staked claim to the top post and remained firm in their positions, while their supporters engaged in an intense factional battle both online and offline.
Meanwhile, Venugopal “wholeheartedly welcomed” the party leadership’s decision and extended his support to Satheesan as the next Chief Minister.
Speaking to the media after the announcement, he said, “The final decision has come, and the Congress high command has decided on VD Satheesan as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the Kerala government. I wholeheartedly welcome that decision. I congratulate VD Satheesan on this position”.
Venugopal also dismissed speculation of internal dissent within the party, asserting that there would be no issues going forward and that the party and its workers are supreme to him.
– Ends
Published On:
May 14, 2026 13:31 IST
