Kerala Govt Formation Highlights: MLAs' feedback submitted to Congress high command, decision soon

Kerala Congress chief PC Thomas on Thursday said the party would accept whatever decision the party high command takes regarding leadership in Kerala, while urging that the process be completed quickly and in line with the people's mandate.

"We said that we are ready to accept whatever decision is taken by the Congress party. We also added that it should be as per the will of the people. We also suggested that the decision should be taken quickly," he said, adding that the issue of the Deputy Chief Minister post did not come up during the meeting. 

A video from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram has gone viral after senior Congress leader Cherian Philip was seen attempting to hug newly elected Kollam MLA Bindu Krishna during a legislative party meeting, despite her apparent reluctance and discomfort. Read here.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer Ajay Maken on Wednesday said consultations with United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders in Kerala had been completed and that the feedback gathered during the meetings would be submitted to the Congress high command in Delhi.

Posters targeting Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KS Venugopal surfaced in Kerala's Alappuzha district on Thursday amid speculation over leadership and electoral calculations following the Assembly election results. The posters, spotted near the YMCA Bridge and Mattancherry Bridge, carried messages urging the Congress leadership to "avoid moves that would impose a by-election in Alappuzha".

At the same time, flex boards supporting Venugopal also appeared in the district, with supporters describing him as "the leader who led from the front".

Senior leaders of the United Democratic Front (UDF) arrived at a private hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday to attend a meeting with All India Congress Committee (AICC) senior observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik amid ongoing consultations over government formation in Kerala.    

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Shibu Baby John said the alliance had secured a decisive mandate and expressed hope that the new government would be sworn in within days. "We had an emphatic win. We discussed that. I hope within this week, by Saturday, Sunday, or early next week, the government will swear in," he said.

Breaking his silence three days after facing a crushing loss in the Kerala Assembly election results, outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday accepted the Left Democratic Front's defeat and described the BJP's emergence in the state as a "serious warning" for secular forces. In a statement issued after the results, Vijayan said the verdict of the people would be respected and congratulated the Congress-led UDF on its victory in the elections.

"We respectfully accept the mandate of the people in the Legislative Assembly elections. We congratulate the UDF for winning this election. Some indications in this election are worrying for those who want to protect secularism. The BJP winning three seats is serious. We will continue our fight against divisive politics without compromising with any communalism," Vijayan said.

(With inputs from Shibimol KG.)

National General Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League, PK Kunhalikutty, arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday to attend the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting amid ongoing political discussions in Kerala. Kunhalikutty was welcomed by party workers at the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station upon his arrival in the state capital.

The CLP meeting assumes significance as the Congress-led alliance continues consultations over leadership and government formation in Kerala.

Congress observers have completed one-on-one discussions with all the newly-elected MLAs in Kerala as part of the ongoing consultations over the selection of the legislature party leader, sources told India Today TV. 

According to sources, the observers are expected to submit a detailed report to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday after assessing the views of the MLAs and holding internal deliberations.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer Mukul Wasnik on Wednesday said that Congress MLAs in Kerala had unanimously passed a resolution authorising the party president to decide the leader of the legislative party.

"A resolution was unanimously passed, empowering the Party President to decide who will be the leader of the legislative party. So, that is what happened during the meeting of the MLAs. I cannot comment on the date (of the swearing-in ceremony). We have to meet everyone, speak with them, and then submit our report to the leadership," he said. 

AICC observer Ajay Maken on Thursday said that the final decision on Kerala government formation has been left to the party high command after a one-line resolution was passed during the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.

"One line resolution was passed. Everything has been left to the High Command, and subsequently, we have held one-on-one discussions with all the MLAs. We are going to Delhi today and will submit our report," Maken said. 

The Congress Legislature Party meeting in Kerala on Thursday passed a one-line resolution authorising Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to take the final decision on the party’s chief ministerial candidate, sources said. The move comes amid ongoing consultations within the party over the leadership issue following the assembly election results.

VD Satheesan is likely to take a firm stand if he is not chosen as the chief ministerial face in Kerala, sources said. According to sources, Satheesan has decided to remain only an MLA if he is not made chief minister and may choose not to be part of the new ministry.

Congress MP Jebi Mather on Thursday said the ongoing Congress Legislature Party (CLP) process in Kerala reflected the party’s internal democracy, asserting that no decision was being imposed on anyone. Speaking on the CLP meeting and consultations with MLAs, she said feedback from legislators and senior leaders would be considered before the party high command takes a final call on the chief ministerial candidate.

The Congress is likely to announce its chief ministerial face for Kerala on May 10, Sunday, sources said. The development comes amid ongoing discussions within the party following the CLP meeting and consultations with senior leadership and observers.

The party meeting of the elected Congress MLAs has begun in Thiruvananthapuram. 

The elected members of the Indian Union of Muslim League will also join the meeting.

(Shibimol KG inputs)

The All India Congress Committee observers for the Kerala election, Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, have left to attend the Congress legislature party meeting, which is scheduled at Indira Bhawan. 

Speaking on the development, Congress MP K Suresh said the appointment of observers was part of the standard procedure followed by the Congress high command after elections, including in Kerala. He said both Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik hold important positions within the party, adding that Wasnik had earlier also served as the party in-charge for Kerala.

Ahead of the crucial Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting scheduled for Thursday, Congress MLAs have started arriving at the KPCC office in Thiruvananthapuram amid ongoing discussions over government formation in Kerala. Party observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik had not yet reached the KPCC office at the time of reporting.