Kerala CM cliffhanger: Decision likely tonight

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Facing a growing wave of discontent among party workers and regional leaders over the week-long delay in appointing a Chief Minister, the Congress High Command has shifted its mediation efforts to the national capital. In a decisive move to break the stalemate, the AICC has summoned a broad spectrum of Kerala’s senior leadership to Delhi for high-stakes deliberations with Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

The delegation includes a "who's who" of the state unit, featuring five former KPCC presidents and current working presidents. The urgency of the summons suggests that the central leadership is aiming for a final announcement by late Tuesday evening.

The crisis stems from a rigid three-way tug-of-war between Ramesh Chennithala, V.D. Satheesan, and K.C. Venugopal. Despite multiple rounds of talks, none of the contenders have been willing to cede their claim to the top post.

The selection process has been further clouded by internal scepticism regarding the state observers' initial findings. Reports indicate that the AICC leadership found the feedback gathered from the MLAs to be biased and "lacking transparency." With United Democratic Front (UDF) allies also divided in their preferences, the High Command now faces the difficult task of forging a consensus in Delhi that has so far eluded the party in Thiruvananthapuram.