New Delhi / Thiruvanthapuram / Dubai, NFAPost: After marathon discussion, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi and the party’s central observers for the state Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik announced V D Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala.
Known for his clarity of opinion and mercurial leadership skill, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan helped Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to a landslide vistory by securing a more than two-thirds majority in the Kerala Assembly elections by winning 102 seats.
The appointment of V D Satheesan ends days of suspense and speculation over the matter, as there was three main contenders for the post of chief minister, which include Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala. He won from Paravur constituency in Ernakulam district in the recent elections.
Meawhile, K C Venugopal on Thursday accepted the party decision to select VD Satheesan as the chief minister of Kerala and congratulated him. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal said he will provide all support to the Chief Minister and the UDF government in Kerala.
The announcement came a day after former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for about 40 minutes, after which the Congress stated that all deliberations and discussions by the high command are complete.
Commenting on the elevation of V D Satheeshan as Kerala Chief Minister, Guruvayur Sree Krishna College Political Science Department Professor Prasad said that over the last five years, V D Satheesan steadily built his image as the most combative face of the Congress.
“Besides highlighting corruption allegations, V D Satheesan meticulously brought to the public attention governance controversies, policing failures and administrative crises; he consistently placed himself at the forefront of attacks against the Left Democratic Front government,” said Guruvayur Sree Krishna College Political Science Department Professor Prasad.
Guruvayur Sree Krishna College Political Science Department Professor Prasad also pointed out that his speeches were sharp, direct and often intensely personal in their criticism of Vijayan’s administration, making him the rallying point of anti-Pinarayi voice in Kerala politics.
Speaking to TheNFAPost, Indian Cultural and Arts Scoeity (INCAS) Al Ain Kozhikode President Aswin expressed hope that under the leadership of V D Satheeshan, Kerala will regain its renewed growth.
“V D Satheesan is a veteran Congress leader, and he already proved himself as the leader of the opposition in the assembly when the CPI(M) was in power over the past five years. His leadership will help Congress come up with policy initiatives to harness more investment and job creation in the state,” said Aswin who runs his own company.
The Kerala Congress Committee will be meeting the governor on Thursday to formally stake its claim to form the new government.
(With inputs from Sanjith)
