In a significant development following the United Democratic Front's (UDF) landslide victory in the Kerala assembly elections, the Congress party has decided to leave the selection of the next chief minister to its high command. Two observers from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, consulted with the party's 63 elected MLAs at the state party headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. The resolution passed during the meeting allows the high command to make the final decision. Contenders for the chief ministerial position include outgoing Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, former Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally, has expressed its support for Satheesan, emphasizing the importance of respecting the public mandate. However, there are internal disputes within the Congress regarding the selection process, with some members criticizing external influences on the party's decision-making. The final decision is expected to be communicated soon by the AICC.