VD Satheesan, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Kerala, defended the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) against allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the party unduly influenced his selection. In a press conference, Satheesan highlighted the IUML's historical role as a crucial ally in the United Democratic Front (UDF) and warned that undermining the party would create opportunities for extremist forces. He firmly stated that there would be 'no compromise' on secularism and condemned hate politics, asserting that Kerala must remain united and harmonious. Satheesan's remarks followed BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar's claims that the IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami played a significant role in his appointment. Satheesan acknowledged that while personal criticism is acceptable, communal remarks are intolerable. He reiterated that the election results reflect Kerala's commitment to secular values and that any attempts to disrupt this principle would be met with strong opposition. The Congress party, which won a significant majority in the assembly elections, had been deliberating on the Chief Ministerial candidate since early May.