Kerala Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan on Thursday praised senior Congress leader KC Venugopal – who was the front-runner in the CM race – for playing a crucial role in his elevation to the top job.
Soon after he was appointed by the Congress leadership as chief minister, Sathisean told a press conference that Venugopal coordinated all the committee’s activities and provided “tremendous” support throughout the process. Follow live updates on Kerala government formation here
Sathisan shout out to Venugopal
Speaking to reporters after his selection, Sathisan said he did not view the responsibility as a personal achievement, but as a “divine thing”. He also recognized senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala as its leader and stressed that only collective effort can build a “new Kerala”.
“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.
Seeking support from all sections of society, Satheesan said no individual could change the country alone and collective action would be central to his government’s work.
“I seek the support of every section of people in Kerala. Only collective effort can build a new Kerala. No one can do it alone; a team can achieve it,” he added.
KC Venugopal welcomed the decision of the party high command to appoint VD Satheesan 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 for the Kerala government. I welcome this decision with all my heart,” Venugopal told reporters in Delhi shortly after the announcement.
Congratulating Sathisean, Venugopal said the people of Kerala had delivered a “huge judgment” in favor of the United Democratic Front and expressed confidence that the new government would fulfill the aspirations of the people. “Certainly, we fully support the Keralam government,” he said.
Congress’s “rare” decision
Congress leaders Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik and Deepa Dasmunshi announced the selection of VD Sathisan as the leader of the Kerala Legislative Party (CLP) on Thursday, paving the way for him to be sworn in as the state’s chief minister.
The decision marks a rare case where the Congress high command was unable to install its preferred choice as chief minister, despite initial reports suggesting that an overwhelming majority of MLAs supported Venugopal for the post.
A senior Congress leader told HT that while Venugopal was the preferred choice of the Congress high command, especially Rahul Gandhi, Sathisean enjoyed popular support and enjoyed the backing of the party organization and allies including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
At a meeting in Delhi earlier this week, Venugopal had the support of six of the party’s nine leaders, while two leaders – K Muraleedharan and VM Sudheeran – supported VD Sathisan, one of whom remained neutral.
While Venugopal had the support of a majority of elected Congress members, Sathisean had widespread support among the party’s ranks as well as key allies such as the World Muslim League and the Kerala Congress (Joseph).
The Congress won 63 of the United Democratic Front’s 102 seats in the recently concluded state elections.
