In Kerala, the Congress party is embroiled in a leadership struggle to select a Chief Minister following the recent elections. Despite securing 102 seats in the 140-member assembly, the party has not yet announced a candidate, with four aspirants in contention: KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and state Congress chief K Sudhakaran. Reports indicate that a majority of 63 Congress MLAs favor Venugopal, who is also supported by senior leader Rahul Gandhi. However, Satheesan, the Congress Legislative Party leader, has garnered significant public backing, leading to rallies that have caused friction with central leaders. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), holding 22 seats, plays a vital role in the decision, as its support is crucial for any candidate. The Congress High Command, including Sonia Gandhi and AK Antony, is now involved in the selection process, with concerns over potential by-elections if Venugopal is appointed. The party's leadership is cautious, aware that any decision could have lasting implications, especially with the assembly term running until May 23.