Thiruvananthapuram, May 7 (IANS) The battle for Kerala’s next Chief Minister has now firmly shifted to New Delhi after the Congress Legislature Party on Thursday unanimously authorised party President Mallikarjuna Kharge to take the final call on the leadership issue, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown within the victorious Congress camp.

At the crucial Legislature Party meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, state Congress chief Sunny Joseph moved the customary one-line resolution, which was seconded by V.D. Satheesan and passed unanimously.

But behind the formal unity, an intense three-cornered contest is unfolding among Satheesan, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.

The party’s observers, Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik and Deepa Das Munshi, individually met the newly elected MLAs to assess support patterns and political preferences before submitting their report to the high command.

While Satheesan has emerged as the most visible public favourite after leading the Opposition for the last five years, the numbers within the legislature party are believed to favour Venugopal.

Torchlight marches were organised by Congress workers in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and several other centres demanding that Satheesan be elevated as Chief Minister, with supporters arguing that he successfully converted anti-incumbency sentiment into votes.

However, organisational strength and proximity to the central leadership appear to be working in Venugopal’s favour.

Sources indicate that several newly elected MLAs, along with influential state leaders, have backed his candidature.

Adding another layer to the contest is the intervention of veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony, whose opinion continues to carry enormous weight in Delhi.

Antony is understood to have favoured Chennithala, citing his seniority and administrative experience.

Support from senior leader V. M. Sudheeran has further strengthened Chennithala’s case.

With the Congress returning to power after a decade and securing a massive mandate, the high command now faces the delicate task of balancing public sentiment, legislative support and seniority before announcing Kerala’s next Chief Minister.

–IANS

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