Congress worker tries to self-immolate while backing VD Satheesan as Kerala CM
A Congress worker in Kottayam allegedly tried to set himself on fire while demanding VD Satheesan as Chief Minister. The protest underscored strain within the Kerala Congress as the party weighs its leadership choice after the UDF's victory in the Assembly polls.
A Congress worker allegedly attempted to set himself on fire in Kerala’s Kottayam district on Friday while demanding that senior party leader VD Satheesan be made the Chief Minister.
Dramatic scenes unfolded in Kaduthuruthy when Francis arrived at a busy intersection raising slogans in support of Satheesan and calling for a change in the party’s leadership.
According to witnesses, Francis suddenly poured petrol on himself in full public view and threatened to end his life. He shouted his loyalty to Satheesan and said his frustration over the party leadership had pushed him to take the extreme step.
Police personnel at the spot swiftly intervened and snatched away the lighter he was carrying before Francis could ignite himself. They later took him into custody.
TENSIONS WITHIN KERALA CONGRESS UNIT OVER CM CANDIDATE
The dramatic protest came amid mounting pressure within the party over the selection of the next Chief Minister following the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) sweeping victory in the Assembly polls.
Supporters of Satheesan have been holding demonstrations across the state demanding that he be chosen as the next Chief Minister, with local media reports suggesting that some party workers were even planning marches in his support.
Tensions within the party became more visible on Thursday when AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken arrived in Kerala to attend the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting and hold one-on-one discussions with the party’s 63 newly elected MLAs.
Around the same time, six flex boards supporting senior Congress leader and MP KC Venugopal were put up near Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, despite Venugopal not contesting the Assembly election. Grease oil was allegedly poured on one of the flex boards having Venugopal, while posters backing Satheesan surfaced in Kannur district.
Apart from Satheesan, Venugopal and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala are being considered frontrunners for the chief minister’s post. Reports indicate that a majority of Congress MLAs may be backing Venugopal, triggering resentment among sections of party workers openly campaigning for Satheesan.
Despite intense lobbying, party leaders have largely avoided making direct public statements about their preferences. Instead, indirect signals have emerged through social media activity and carefully worded media responses.
The Congress Legislature Party has passed a resolution authorising party president Mallikarjun Kharge to decide the CLP leader, who will subsequently become the Chief Minister. The move has effectively shifted the final decision to the party high command in Delhi.
AICC observers are expected to submit their report on the views of the newly elected MLAs to Kharge later on Friday, following which senior Kerala leaders may be called to the national capital for final consultations before the chief ministerial candidate is announced.
Even UDF allies are believed to be leaning towards Satheesan as the preferred choice for Chief Minister, though they too have so far refrained from making any formal public endorsement.
The Congress won 63 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, while the Congress-led UDF secured 102 seats overall, ending the Left Democratic Front’s decade-long rule. The LDF was reduced to 35 seats in the election.
A Congress worker allegedly attempted to set himself on fire in Kerala’s Kottayam district on Friday while demanding that senior party leader VD Satheesan be made the Chief Minister.
Dramatic scenes unfolded in Kaduthuruthy when Francis arrived at a busy intersection raising slogans in support of Satheesan and calling for a change in the party’s leadership.
According to witnesses, Francis suddenly poured petrol on himself in full public view and threatened to end his life. He shouted his loyalty to Satheesan and said his frustration over the party leadership had pushed him to take the extreme step.
Police personnel at the spot swiftly intervened and snatched away the lighter he was carrying before Francis could ignite himself. They later took him into custody.
TENSIONS WITHIN KERALA CONGRESS UNIT OVER CM CANDIDATE
The dramatic protest came amid mounting pressure within the party over the selection of the next Chief Minister following the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) sweeping victory in the Assembly polls.
Supporters of Satheesan have been holding demonstrations across the state demanding that he be chosen as the next Chief Minister, with local media reports suggesting that some party workers were even planning marches in his support.
Tensions within the party became more visible on Thursday when AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken arrived in Kerala to attend the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting and hold one-on-one discussions with the party’s 63 newly elected MLAs.
Around the same time, six flex boards supporting senior Congress leader and MP KC Venugopal were put up near Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, despite Venugopal not contesting the Assembly election. Grease oil was allegedly poured on one of the flex boards having Venugopal, while posters backing Satheesan surfaced in Kannur district.
Apart from Satheesan, Venugopal and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala are being considered frontrunners for the chief minister’s post. Reports indicate that a majority of Congress MLAs may be backing Venugopal, triggering resentment among sections of party workers openly campaigning for Satheesan.
Despite intense lobbying, party leaders have largely avoided making direct public statements about their preferences. Instead, indirect signals have emerged through social media activity and carefully worded media responses.
The Congress Legislature Party has passed a resolution authorising party president Mallikarjun Kharge to decide the CLP leader, who will subsequently become the Chief Minister. The move has effectively shifted the final decision to the party high command in Delhi.
AICC observers are expected to submit their report on the views of the newly elected MLAs to Kharge later on Friday, following which senior Kerala leaders may be called to the national capital for final consultations before the chief ministerial candidate is announced.
Even UDF allies are believed to be leaning towards Satheesan as the preferred choice for Chief Minister, though they too have so far refrained from making any formal public endorsement.
The Congress won 63 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, while the Congress-led UDF secured 102 seats overall, ending the Left Democratic Front’s decade-long rule. The LDF was reduced to 35 seats in the election.
