Senior leader stakes claim: Chennithala shows interest in CM’s post after UDF’s big win

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Discussions for the chief minister’s post in the UDF soon after the party’s resounding victory is active in the state. Even while stating that the high command will take the final decision, Congress leaders are indirectly claiming that they are qualified for the chief minister's post. In an interview to a private channel, former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has indicated his claim for the chief minister’s post.

Chennithala said the majority of MLAs was not a factor in 2021 and that he was not made the opposition leader despite having a majority. He said that he is a senior leader in the party and the house, yet he did not raise any objection and did not even make a sound of moving a dried leaf.

‘Nobody projected me as the chief minister in 2021. The party has to decide whether seniority is the criterion. The decision can be left to the high command. Or it can be decided by looking at the number of MLAs. The support of good MLAs will be obtained. We cannot make everyone a minister. The party will take a fair decision,' said Chennithala.

He commented on the victory by saying that the people had bid goodbye to Pinarayi with enthusiasm and that the election result was an endorsement of the UDF's positive agenda. Abdul Rasheed is considered as the MLA of Dharmadam, he said. Chennithala said the responsibility now lies in governing with discipline and a new vision, that it was a collective decision not to field MPs and that it is up to the high command to decide whether any MP should come to Kerala.