In a dramatic culmination to days of intense political negotiations and internal lobbying, the Indian National Congress on Thursday officially selected V D Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. The decision follows high-level consultations within the party leadership and comes after a tense power struggle that exposed deep factional divisions inside the Kerala Congress unit.

Sources indicate that the breakthrough came after senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a crucial meeting with K C Venugopal on Thursday morning. The discussions reportedly focused on persuading Venugopal to step aside and support a consensus leadership formula in order to avoid a prolonged internal crisis.

Satheesan’s elevation is being seen as a major strategic move by the Congress high command ahead of a politically crucial phase in Kerala politics. Known for his aggressive opposition role and sharp attacks on the ruling Left government, Satheesan has emerged over the years as one of the most prominent faces of the Congress in the state.

Party insiders say the leadership wanted to project unity and decisiveness after days of speculation and competing camps lobbying intensely in Delhi. Supporters of Satheesan celebrated the announcement as a generational shift within the Kerala Congress, while party leaders publicly emphasized unity and collective responsibility moving forward.

The decision is expected to reshape the political landscape in Kerala, with Congress hoping Satheesan’s leadership can energize the party cadre and strengthen its challenge against the ruling Left Democratic Front in the state.

(With agency inputs)