Kochi, April 28 With the countdown to election results entering its final stretch, the Congress party in Kerala is witnessing an intensifying internal battle over the chief ministerial face, marked by public mudslinging, factional mobilisation, and growing unease among allies.
Despite a strict directive from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to rein in discussions on leadership, the tussle between camps backing opposition leader V.D. Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala has spilled onto the streets.
In Kochi, a provocative flex banner put up opposite the Ernakulam DCC office sharply attacked Satheesan, alleging that his ambition to become Chief Minister by sidelining veterans through PR campaigns is not going to materialise.
The banner, under the name 'Congress Family’, also openly endorsed Chennithala.
This comes days after pro-Satheesan banners surfaced in places like Aluva, signalling a tit-for-tat escalation.
The controversy follows earlier social media campaigns by rival groups that degenerated into personal attacks, prompting the high command to impose a clampdown.
AICC General Secretary Deepa Das Munshi has reportedly conveyed to state leaders that any open contest for the top post must be avoided.
However, the directive appears to have had limited effect. Advertisements backing Chennithala in sections of the print media and the continued display of factional banners indicate that the battle is far from contained.
The K.C. Venugopal faction, too, is understood to be actively positioning itself.
The infighting has also triggered discomfort among allies.
The Kerala Congress (Joseph) has made it clear it will not take sides, with its leader and Kottayam MP Francis George stating that the chief ministerial decision is an internal matter of the Congress and that allies should not interfere.
He added that all stakeholders would ultimately have to abide by the high command’s decision.
At the same time, reports suggesting a section within the Indian Union Muslim League is inclined towards Satheesan have further aggravated rival camps within the Congress party.
As multiple power centres jostle for influence ahead of the results, Congress faces the challenge of containing internal divisions even before the electoral verdict is out, raising questions about unity and leadership stability at a critical political moment.
Counting of votes begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, and until then the race will continue and by now itself the social media is having a field day.
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