Congress leader and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal, who was also in the race for Kerala chief minister’s post before VD Sathisan was chosen, on Friday said his “utmost desire” was to “die as a Congress member” when asked if the party had offered him a place in the state government instead of the top job.
The Congress on Thursday appointed Sathisan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of anticipation over the leadership decision.
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What KC Venugopal said about the position ‘on offer’ in Kerala government
Sathisean’s rise came after an 11-day delay following the May 4 Assembly election results. During this period, Venugopal was seen as the preferred choice of some sections within the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, as mentioned in an earlier HT report.
Notably, Venugopal also welcomed the party leadership’s decision to appoint Sathisan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala.
On Friday, he received a warm welcome from party workers and leaders after his arrival at Thiruvananthapuram airport.
When reporters asked him if the Congress leadership had offered him a ministerial role in the Kerala government, he replied that his only desire was to “die as a Congress member”.
“I think I already made everything clear yesterday, leaving no room for doubt. That’s it. The Congress party will stand together, the United Democratic Front will stand together. We are committed to providing good governance to the people of Kerala,” the news agency quoted him as saying. PTI.
KC Venugopal and Kerala CM position
A senior Congress leader had earlier told HT that Venugopal had the support of the Congress leadership, especially Rahul Gandhi, but Sathisan enjoyed popular support and backing from the party organization and its allies like the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Venugopal on Thursday welcomed the decision to appoint VD Sathisan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala.
“The final decision has come and the Congress high command has decided that V D Sathisan will be the chief ministerial candidate in the Kerala government. I welcome this decision with all my heart,” he told reporters in Delhi soon after the announcement.
Sathisan also credited Venugopal for playing an important role in his rise to the top job.
“I do not see this position as a personal achievement, but as something divine. It was KC Venugopal who coordinated all the activities of the AICC. His support was immense. Ramesh Chennithala is also my leader. I will take them all with full confidence,” Satheesan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new Kerala Chief Minister is scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on May 18.
With input from agencies
