‘High command will take final view’: Tariq Anwar on Kerala CM choice; claims Venugopal must ‘undergo process’

Senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar on Friday said that any decision on making KC Venugopal the chief minister of Kerala, if the United Democratic Front (UDF) wins the Assembly elections, will depend on the party’s internal process and final approval by the high command.In an interview, Anwar, who is the MP from Bihar’s Katihar and a former Kerala in-charge, outlined how the Congress would determine its chief ministerial candidate.He asserted that even if Venugopal is interested in the role, he would need to follow the established procedure within the party."If the legislative party authorises the high command for the final decision, then it will do so," he said.Detailing the process, Anwar explained that the party high command would appoint an observer who would convene a meeting of the Congress legislative party. If a consensus emerges during discussions, the observer would communicate it to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), after which the leadership would take the final call."The high command will take a final view," he said.Addressing speculation over Venugopal, the Congress general secretary (organisation), becoming Chief Minister despite not contesting the Assembly polls, Anwar reiterated that interest alone would not suffice."If the Congress general secretary (organisation) was interested, he will have to undergo the requisite process," he said. "There is no confusion about it," he added.Anwar also expressed confidence in the UDF’s prospects in Kerala, citing exit poll trends.