CONGRESS SET TO ANNOUNCE KERALA CM AS VENUGOPAL EMERGES FRONTRUNNER

Rahul backs Venugopal; party asserts democratic process

Congress is moving closer to naming its chief ministerial face in Kerala, with Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal emerging as Rahul Gandhi's preferred choice after a one-on-one meeting in Delhi. The party, which returned to power in the state after a decade-long gap, has faced mounting pressure to announce its CM within days of the election results.

Six days have elapsed since Kerala voters handed Congress a decisive mandate—63 of 140 assembly seats, enough for a comfortable majority. Yet the post remains vacant as the party navigates an internal selection process that has drawn both support and scrutiny from multiple quarters.

VENUGOPAL CONSOLIDATES SUPPORT AMONG LEGISLATORS

Ground reports indicate Venugopal has secured backing from approximately 75–80 percent of Congress' 63 MLAs, a clear indication of his strength within the legislative wing. A photograph that circulated on social media showed Kerala Congress President Sunny Joseph, Sandeep G Varier, Sajeev Joseph, T.O. Mohan, and Usha Vijayan backing his candidacy at a May 9 meeting held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's Delhi residence.

Party insiders familiar with the developments suggested a pragmatic arrangement should Venugopal assume office. Sunny Joseph, who won from Irikkur, may step down from his assembly seat, clearing the way for Venugopal to contest and secure an MLA position—a constitutional requirement for the chief minister's post. The move reflects careful political choreography within the Congress, balancing factional interests while ensuring legislative strength remains intact.

CHALLENGE FROM SATHEESAN CAMP

V.D. Satheesan, the other key contender, drew support from only six MLAs in the initial May 9 meeting. However, his position gained traction following the gathering, with three former state Congress presidents publicly backing his candidacy. Additionally, key UDF allies—the Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (Joseph)—have openly supported Satheesan's claims.

This bifurcation highlights underlying organisational tensions, though Congress leadership has maintained that the final decision rests with the party hierarchy rather than a simple MLAs' count.

CONGRESS REJECTS BJP MODEL

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala seized the opportunity to draw contrasts with the ruling BJP, asserting the party's commitment to democratic processes. "In the Congress party, the CM is chosen democratically. We do not have a system where Modi and Shah take all the decisions," Chennithala said, in an apparent reference to how the national ruling party handles such selections.

The statement underscores Congress' attempt to position itself as ideologically distinct, particularly as regional dynamics shift across India following recent assembly elections.

BROADER REGIONAL SHIFTS

Meanwhile, three southern and eastern states have witnessed chief ministerial changes within the past 48 hours, signalling a significant realignment of regional politics.

In Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), became the ninth CM after his party secured 108 of 234 seats. Vijay's government will rely on additional support from Congress, Left, IUML, and VCK MLAs to reach the required 118-seat majority. During his oath ceremony, Vijay notably departed from prescribed remarks, prompting Governor Arlekar to intervene.

West Bengal witnessed a historic milestone when Suvendu Adhikari became the BJP's first Chief Minister. Adhikari was sworn in on May 9 following the party's decisive 207-294 seat victory. The ceremony was attended by 20 chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, underscoring the BJP's organised show of strength.

NORTHEAST DEVELOPMENTS

In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, re-elected as BJP legislative party leader, will take oath for his second consecutive term as Chief Minister on May 12 at 11 am. The state witnessed a consolidation of NDA strength in recent elections.

Puducherry is also set for a leadership change, with N. Ramaswamy scheduled to take oath on May 13.

Congress officials indicated an announcement on the Kerala CM post is imminent, though they have refrained from specifying an exact timeline. The party's deliberate pace contrasts sharply with the swift transitions witnessed in neighbouring states, reflecting its traditional emphasis on consensus-building within the party structure.

Congress Returns to Power in Kerala After 10 Years; Thalapathy Vijay’s TVK Emerges as Single Largest Party in Tamil Nadu

In a dramatic reshaping of India’s political map, the Congress-led United Democratic Front has returned to power in Kerala after a decade, while actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has emerged as the single largest party in Tamil Nadu, securing 107 of the 234 seats. Meanwhile, the BJP has consolidated its hold in Assam, and the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) has retained power in Puducherry, leading to a complex political realignment in these four regions.

Kerala: Congress-led UDF Storms to Power

Kerala voters have delivered a resounding mandate for the Congress-led UDF, ending the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) 10-year rule. The UDF has won 102 of the 140 seats, far surpassing the required 71 for a majority. The Congress alone secured 63 seats, with its allies—the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Kerala Congress factions—adding 39 more. The LDF, led by the CPI(M), has been reduced to 26 seats, marking a significant setback for the Left in the state.

The victory is attributed to a wave of anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whose government faced criticism over economic mismanagement, high unemployment, and corruption scandals. Despite maintaining strict law-and-order, voters have signaled a desire for change by rejecting the status quo. The UDF’s win is historic, as it is the first time in over five decades that no Left government remains in power in India, with the Left already ousted from Bengal and Tripura in recent years.

Tamil Nadu: TVK’s Superstar Debut

Vijay’s TVK has made a sensational electoral debut in Tamil Nadu, triumphing in the 234-member Assembly elections as the single largest party with 107 seats—just 11 shy of an outright majority. The party’s vote share is approximately 34.86%, significantly outpacing the DMK at 24.19% and the AIADMK at 21.35%. The DMK, now in second place with 59 seats, faces the loss of its leader and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the Kolathur stronghold, defeated by TVK’s V.S. Babu by 8,795 votes in a major upset.

The victory is fueled by widespread discontent with the DMK and AIADMK’s dynastic politics, rising unemployment, and agricultural distress. TVK, launched by Vijay in 2022 to address corruption and inequality, has attracted urban youth and marginal farmers. The party’s narrative of “change” resonates amid the 10% unemployment rate and 15% inflation in the state. Stalin’s consolation prize election from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni—by a narrow margin—highlights the party’s humility, but TVK now leads in government formation talks, likely requiring Congress support.

Assam: BJP Considers Saataval

In Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has cemented its dominance, winning 82 of the 126 seats—surpassing the 64 majority mark—on a 38.35% vote share. The Congress has slipped to 19 seats with 29.34%, while allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) secure 10 each, and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) takes 2. This victory extends the BJP’s rule to a third term, driven by infrastructure development, job creation, and welfare schemes.

Puducherry: NDA Retains with AINRC Edge

The NDA retained power in Puducherry, with AINRC leading the 30-member Assembly with 12 seats, followed by AIADMK and BJP at 6 and 4 respectively. The DMK and Congress each hold 5 and 1, with TVK winning 2 and independents securing 3. This balance reflects the region’s diversity and coalition dynamics.

Public Impact and Future Outlook

The results signal a national shift toward regional discontent with entrenched parties, favoring fresh faces like Vijay’s TVK and Congress’s resurgence in Kerala. The UDF’s win in Kerala promises anti-corruption drives and social welfare reforms, while TVK’s rise in Tamil Nadu may force alliances with Congress for a stable government. Assam’s BJP victory underscores nostalgia for 2022’s “Saffron Wave,” though Opposition parties may regroup in the next 2026 elections.

A political controversy erupted on Tuesday after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge allegedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” during an election rally in Chennai. The remark, made days before voting in Tamil Nadu, triggered sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), escalating tensions in an already heated campaign.

The comment quickly became a flashpoint in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election narrative, drawing widespread criticism and prompting a clarification from Kharge later in the day.

What Kharge Said

Addressing a gathering in Chennai, Kharge questioned the alliance between AIADMK and BJP, reportedly stating that parties aligning with Prime Minister Modi were weakening democratic values. In the course of his speech, he used strong language that the BJP interpreted as branding the Prime Minister a “terrorist”.

The Congress leader also alleged that the ruling government does not believe in equality and justice, remarks that further sharpened the political divide.

BJP Hits Back Hard

The BJP reacted swiftly, condemning the statement as “deeply irresponsible” and “insulting to the electorate”. Union Minister Piyush Goyal accused the Congress and its ally DMK of lowering the level of political discourse.

According to party leaders, such remarks not only target the Prime Minister but also disrespect voters who elected him. BJP representatives demanded an apology from senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and DMK chief M.K. Stalin.

Officials indicated that the controversy could influence voter sentiment in the final phase of campaigning.

Election Context Matters

The remarks come at a crucial juncture, with Tamil Nadu set to vote on April 23. The state is witnessing a closely contested battle between the DMK-Congress alliance and the AIADMK-BJP coalition.

Campaigning reached its peak this week, with top leaders from all major parties holding rallies across the state. Political observers note that rhetoric often intensifies in the final days before polling, but personal attacks tend to draw sharper scrutiny.

Kharge Issues Clarification

Facing mounting criticism, Kharge later clarified his statement, denying that he directly called the Prime Minister a terrorist. He said his comments were taken out of context and were meant to criticise the functioning of central agencies.

Kharge alleged that institutions like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and Income Tax Department were being misused to intimidate opposition leaders and candidates. He maintained that his remarks referred to this alleged climate of fear, not to any individual.

Sources within the Congress indicated that the party aimed to shift focus back to governance and policy issues after the clarification.

Political Impact Emerging

The controversy has added a new dimension to the Tamil Nadu election campaign. Analysts suggest that such remarks may consolidate support among core voters on both sides, while also influencing undecided voters.

The BJP has sought to frame the issue as an example of opposition parties resorting to personal attacks instead of addressing governance. Meanwhile, the Congress and its allies are attempting to pivot the narrative toward institutional accountability. As per reports, campaign messaging in the final hours is likely to reflect this clash of narratives.

What Lies Ahead

With campaigning set to end shortly, all parties are focusing on last-mile voter outreach. The Election Commission is expected to monitor statements closely to ensure adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.

The outcome of the Tamil Nadu polls will not only shape state politics but also carry implications for national alliances ahead of future elections.

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi remains admitted at a Delhi hospital after being diagnosed with a stomach and urinary infection, prompting her son and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to stay overnight at her bedside.

According to officials, she was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital late Tuesday night. Doctors have been closely monitoring her condition, which is reported to be stable.

Rahul Gandhi’s Vigil

Rahul Gandhi has been personally attending to his mother during her hospital stay. In a video message shared on social media, he said he spent the night sleeping on a small sofa inside her hospital room.

He described his concern as “natural for any son” but added that the attentive care provided by a nurse from Kerala brought him reassurance during the night.

Praise for Nurse

Highlighting the role of healthcare workers, Rahul Gandhi spoke about the dedication of the Kerala nurse who checked on Sonia Gandhi every hour through the night.

He noted that her presence and compassion reflected the broader contribution of nurses from Kerala, not only in India but globally. “When the world sleeps, they continue working and comforting patients,” he said, calling it part of Kerala’s identity.

Political Schedule Impact

Sonia Gandhi’s hospitalisation has also affected Rahul Gandhi’s political engagements. He skipped an all-party meeting held at Parliament on Wednesday to remain at the hospital.

His planned visit to Kerala for election campaigning was cancelled. Instead, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge represented the party at the meeting, while Rahul addressed supporters virtually.

Kerala Campaign Remarks

Despite the disruption, Rahul Gandhi continued his outreach to voters in Kerala through a virtual address. He criticised both the BJP-led Centre and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state over employment issues.

He alleged that promises of job creation had not been fulfilled and questioned the accountability of both governments. He also raised concerns over selective action by central agencies against opposition leaders.

Welfare Promises Outlined

During his address, Rahul Gandhi outlined several welfare measures promised by the Congress for Kerala. These included free bus travel for women, financial assistance for college-going girls, and an increase in welfare pensions.

He also mentioned plans for expanded health insurance coverage, interest-free loans for youth, and the creation of a dedicated department for senior citizens.

What Lies Ahead

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi’s health remains under observation, with doctors expected to decide on her discharge based on her recovery. Congress leaders have not indicated any immediate changes to her public schedule.

The development comes at a crucial time as political activity intensifies ahead of Assembly elections in multiple states, with results expected in early May.

Rahul Gandhi’s continued presence at the hospital underscores the personal nature of the situation even as political responsibilities remain pressing, making the Sonia Gandhi hospitalisation a closely watched development in both political and public spheres.