One snapshot, total chaos: Congress embroiled in controversy as 'secret' CM preference list leaks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala unit of the Congress party has been plunged into a state of high anxiety following a major security lapse that saw the confidential preferences of newly elected MLAs for the Chief Minister's post leaked to the media. The controversy erupted after The New Indian Express published a high-resolution photograph of a document held by AICC observer Mukul Wasnik, which reportedly tabulates the individual choices of legislators.

The breach has sparked a wave of internal criticism, with party insiders slamming the central observers for "gross negligence" while handling sensitive leadership consultations. Adding to the friction, K. Neelakandan, the MLA-elect for Uduma, has formally petitioned the Congress High Command. Neelakandan alleges that his specific recommendation was either ignored or inaccurately recorded on the leaked sheet.

Key findings from leak:

• K.C. Venugopal emerges as frontrunner: The leaked document suggests a surge in support for AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. High-profile names including Sandeep Varrier, Sajeev Joseph, T.O. Mohanan, Usha Vijayan, and T. Siddique are allegedly marked as "KC" supporters.
• Presidential stance: The list purportedly shows KPCC President Sunny Joseph backing Venugopal.
• Divided loyalties: I.C. Balakrishnan, traditionally a Ramesh Chennithala loyalist, appears on the sheet with both "KC" and "RC" (Ramesh Chennithala) initials against his name, indicating a possible split in preference or a shift in the party's internal factionalism.

While the leak has left many MLAs scrambling to explain their private stances, KPCC President Sunny Joseph has dismissed the report, claiming the document captured in the photograph is not the official or final list. Despite the denial, the incident has intensified the power struggle within the United Democratic Front (UDF) as the High Command prepares to finalise its decision.