Kerala CM to be announced within 24 hours:KC Venugopal emerges as frontrunner after meeting with Rahul Gandhi

The name of the next Chief Minister of Kerala is likely to be announced within the next 24 hours, senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan said after meeting Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. Muraleedharan said the Congress leadership is expected to finalise the chief ministerial candidate by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning after another round of consultations with top party leaders. According to him, Rahul Gandhi held discussions on the Kerala leadership issue with former state Congress presidents and working presidents at 10 Janpath, the residence of Sonia Gandhi. Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to arrive in Delhi from Bengaluru on Tuesday evening, after which the Congress high command will hold a final meeting before taking a decision on the new chief minister. Kerala awaits CM 9 days after poll results The suspense over Kerala’s next chief minister continues even nine days after the results of the 2026 Assembly elections were declared on May 4. The United Democratic Front, led by the Indian National Congress, secured a decisive victory in the 140-member Assembly by winning 102 seats. While new chief ministers have already taken oath in West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu after the May 4 election results, Kerala remains the only major state where the leadership decision is still pending. In Puducherry, N. Rangasamy is scheduled to take oath as chief minister on Wednesday. KC Venugopal emerges frontrunner Sources said Rahul Gandhi’s preferred choice for Kerala chief minister is KC Venugopal, who is believed to have the backing of a majority of Congress MLAs. The Congress high command had summoned former Kerala Congress presidents to Delhi on Monday for consultations. Rahul Gandhi also reportedly held a one-on-one meeting with Venugopal during the discussions. According to sources, 75-80 per cent of MLAs supported Venugopal during the Congress Legislature Party meeting, strengthening his position in the race. Satheesan also in contention VD Satheesan, another key contender, is said to have received the support of six MLAs. Following the legislature party meeting, three former state Congress presidents reportedly backed his candidature. UDF allies, including the Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (Joseph), have also extended support to Satheesan, making the final decision dependent on the Congress high command’s consensus. ​