Congress Leadership Tussle Erupts in Kerala

The Congress party in Kerala is witnessing a intense leadership tussle, with supporters of Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, openly campaigning for their preferred candidates.

The high command's warnings against public displays of factional loyalty have been ignored, with hoardings and marches proliferating across urban centers in the state.

The tussle has also drawn in powerful behind-the-scenes figures, including leaders of the Nair Service Society and the SNDP Yogam, who are subtly conveying their views to the public through media interactions.

The power struggle has prompted KPCC president Sunny Joseph to call off a press conference, while Mr. Satheesan has urged Congress and UDF workers to refrain from group demonstrations and public declarations of loyalty.

The immediate next steps will likely involve the AICC settling the leadership question in Delhi, possibly on Sunday, with the party's national leadership seeking to resolve the crisis and establish a united front ahead of government formation.