K C not travelling to Kerala; has his chief ministerial bid weakened? Announcement likely at 12 noon in Delhi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader K C Venugopal is not in the chartered flight that departed from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram carrying senior Congress leaders, triggering fresh speculation over his chances in the chief minister race.

The flight carries Deepa Dasmunsi, the AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, along with observers Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik, and Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana from Uttarakhand. Sources indicate that the chief minister announcement could be made from Delhi before the leaders arrive in Thiruvananthapuram, with indications pointing to an announcement around 12 noon.

K C Venugopal’s absence from the Delhi flight is being interpreted in political circles as a sign that his prospects for the chief minister’s post may have weakened. Rahul Gandhi had held a discussion with Venugopal this morning for an hour. It was reportedly after this meeting that the decision was made for him not to travel to Kerala.