Talks enter final stage; Kerala’s new CM likely to be announced tonight?

NEW DELHI: Reports say discussions to decide Kerala’s new chief minister have entered the final stage. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge will hold talks in Delhi today with senior Congress leaders from Kerala. Most probably there will be an official announcement tonight or tomorrow morning.

Former KPCC presidents V M Sudheeran, K Muraleedharan, Mullappally Ramachandran, M M Hassan and K Sudhakaran have reached Delhi for the discussions. Working presidents Shafi Parambil, P C Vishnunath, A P Anil Kumar, along with disciplinary committee chairman Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, have also been summoned by the high command. A K Antony had conveyed his stand to the high command over the phone.

According to reports, a majority of MLAs are backing K C Venugopal. However, coalition partners including the Muslim League and Kerala Congress are firmly supporting V D Satheesan for the chief minister’s post.

Party workers and the public have expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in taking a decision even a week after the results were announced. The high command is taking seriously the appearance of flex boards and slogan campaigns on roadsides supporting the leaders. This is believed to be the reason why all senior leaders have been called to Delhi to seek their opinions.