The Congress party's recent victory in Kerala marks a significant political shift after ten years, establishing it as a governing force in three out of five southern Indian states. Three prominent leaders are vying for the position of Chief Minister: KC Venugopal (63), VD Satheesan (62), and Ramesh Chennithala (70). Venugopal, a trusted ally of Rahul Gandhi and current Member of Parliament, has been instrumental in unifying the party but faces criticism for his tenure as National General Secretary. VD Satheesan, as the Leader of the Opposition, has gained popularity for his confrontational style against the incumbent Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, though he must contend with Chennithala's established reputation within the Nair community. Ramesh Chennithala, the senior-most candidate, brings extensive governance experience but may be hindered by his age. The Congress high command will consult newly-elected legislators before finalizing the Chief Ministerial candidate, emphasizing the importance of legislative support in this political decision.