Kerala CM suspense may end today, Congress wraps up final huddle

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress brass moved closer Tuesday to ending Kerala's week-long CM deadlock after protests, social media campaigns and factional muscle-flexing threatened to overshadow UDF's blowout election victory.

A final round of talks involving Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi was expected to seal decision on successor to Left Front's 10-year tenure in Kerala, party sources said. AICC brass also summoned senior Kerala functioaries to New Delhi. Politicians emerging from meetings with Rahul Gandhi signalled announcement could come Wednesday.



After eight days of suspense and backroom bargaining, Congress functionaries conceded prolonged uncertainty had taken edge off Congress-led UDF's emphatic triumph over CPM-led LDF. UDF bagged 103 seats in the 140-member assembly, but delay in naming CM reopened factional fault lines papered over during campaign.

Three heavyweights remain locked in contest - K C Venugopal and MLAs V D Satheesan and R Chennithala. Venugopal camp claimed support of 43 MLAs in 63-member Congress bloc, while Satheesan and Chennithala factions projected backing of 35 and 22 MLAs, respectively.

Sources said Gandhi's sought explanations on coordinated protests over the delay. Netas said public sentiment, cadre mood and views of allies would shape final call.