Who will become the Chief Minister of Kerala? Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will take the final decision, long meeting in Delhi

New Delhi: Congress-led UDF has got a big victory in the Kerala Assembly elections. But after the victory, now choosing the Chief Minister has become the biggest challenge for the Congress. All the three main parties included in UDF want to make their respective leaders the CM. To solve this problem, the Congress high command held a 3-hour long meeting in Delhi on Saturday.

Decision hinges on Kharge-Rahul   

According to media reports, on Saturday (09 May 2026), Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called an important meeting in Delhi. Along with Rahul Gandhi, senior Kerala leaders Ramesh Chennithala, V.D. Satheesan and Kerala Congress chief Sunny Joseph were also present. All the leaders expressed their opinions in the brainstorming that lasted for about 3 hours.

After the meeting, AICC General Secretary Deepa Das Munshi told the media that the decision of CM will be taken by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. He said the decision would come ‘very soon’, but did not give any date.

Deadline is 23rd May     

The last date for government formation in Kerala is 23 May. That means by this date the name of the Chief Minister will have to be decided and oath will have to be taken. If the government is not formed on time, the Governor can take steps as per the constitutional process. That is why there is pressure on Congress to take a decision soon.

All three parties have their own contenders   

Actually, there are three big parties in UDF and all three are staking claim to the post of CM. Congress has its own leader. Kerala Congress has its own face. The third constituent party also has its own contender. Every party wants the Chief Minister to be from its own camp. Due to this tussle the decision is stuck. Dissatisfaction is visible within Congress also. Supporters of all three factions want to see their respective leaders becoming CM.

MLAs handed over responsibility to the high command   

Amidst this political confusion, all the Congress MLAs have signed a proposal. The proposal states that all MLAs give the party leadership the right to choose the CM. Meaning whatever decision Kharge and Rahul take, everyone will accept it.

UDF got a big mandate   

It is noteworthy that the public has given an overwhelming majority to UDF in the Kerala Assembly elections. After a long time, Congress alliance has returned to power. In such a situation, deciding the name of the Chief Minister has become even more important. Wrong decision can cause rift in the alliance.