Congress High Command to Decide Kerala CM Candidate After Kharge Meets Contenders

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge convened a meeting on the evening of May 9, 2026, with Kerala Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal, V.D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, and other senior figures to resolve the party's chief ministerial candidate selection for Kerala. The decision follows a report by AICC observers and comes amid growing public factionalism within the state unit.

Kharge emphasized strict adherence to party discipline, directing state leadership to take action against members violating decorum during the CM debate. The high command has warned that attempts to damage the party's image will not be tolerated, as rival factions erected competing flex boards across Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, and other districts, some of which were vandalized.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph stated the final decision rests solely with the Congress high command, while leader K. Muraleedharan urged consideration of UDF allies' views and MLA opinions, rejecting public campaigns and seniority as deciding factors. Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet the Kerala leadership only after a consensus is reached in the high command's deliberations.

The AICC will finalize the chief ministerial candidate following internal consultations, with an official announcement expected in the coming days. The court of public opinion and coalition dynamics within the UDF are expected to play a background role as the party prepares for the Kerala Assembly elections.