On May 15, 2026, Ramesh Chennithala, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress in Kerala, expressed his support for V.D. Satheesan, who has been designated as the new Chief Minister. This announcement came after a period of uncertainty within the party, particularly following Chennithala's absence from a key meeting and the subsequent backlash from the Nair Service Society (NSS), which accused the Congress high command of yielding to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) by sidelining Chennithala in the leadership selection process. Chennithala emphasized the need for unity within the party to avoid factional disputes that could undermine the United Democratic Front (UDF) following their recent electoral success. He reassured party members that Satheesan would have their full support and indicated his willingness to accept a ministerial role if offered. This development is seen as a crucial step towards stabilizing the party's leadership and maintaining the momentum of public support ahead of the new government's formation.