Tensions have escalated within the Congress party in Kerala following the announcement of V.D. Satheesan as the Chief Minister-designate. Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala's departure from his home in Thiruvananthapuram has led to speculation about his potential boycott of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting. His loyalist, Jyothikumar Chamakala, confirmed Chennithala's absence but refrained from commenting on his future actions. G. Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of the Nair Services Society, criticized the Congress high command for allegedly compromising democratic values by bypassing the opinions of MLAs-elect and overlooking Chennithala's seniority. He expressed skepticism about the Indian Union Muslim League's commitment to social justice, especially if they were to receive the education portfolio. Additionally, Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the SNDP Yogam, noted Chennithala's disappointment at not being elevated to the Chief Minister position, while Congress loyalist Pazhakulam Madhu defended AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal against allegations of character assassination, suggesting that public opinion may have influenced the high command's decision.