VD Satheesan has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Kerala, following a period of intense speculation and lobbying within the Congress party. The announcement was made by Deepa Dasmunshi, AICC in-charge of Kerala, along with central observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik. Initially, KC Venugopal was considered the frontrunner for the position, but discussions with senior Kerala Congress leaders and insights from Rahul Gandhi shifted the momentum towards Satheesan. Key factors influencing this decision included public sentiment and the support of alliance partners, particularly the Indian Union Muslim League, which emphasized the importance of selecting a sitting MLA to avoid triggering by-elections. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) made a significant comeback in the recent elections, securing 102 out of 140 Assembly seats, a major shift from the previous decade's political landscape. However, this victory also led to increased infighting among party factions as they vied for leadership positions.