May 06, 2026 13:27 pm IST

Opinion | Congress' Biggest Challenge For Kerala? Not Letting It Go Down The Karnataka Way

The Congress has to ensure this does not end up becoming another Rajasthan or Karnataka-like leadership tussle. In neighbouring Karnataka, the Congress finds itself split down the middle.

TS Sudhir TS Sudhir Columnist

The irony is not lost on anyone. Sachin Pilot is in Thiruvananthapuram as the Congress party's senior observer to aid in the election - or selection - of the next Chief Minister of Kerala. Pilot had revolted against the leadership of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot in 2020, unhappy that he was the Deputy Chief Minister without any real powers. Pilot would be fully aware of what unfulfilled aspirations could do to the health of the Congress party and knows he will have to navigate the demands of the different groups within the Congress in Kerala.

Posters have appeared in both Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi, pushing the candidature of Congress organisational secretary KC Venugopal for the top job. Competition back home is tough. There is Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, who has led this campaign from the front. Former Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala missed his opportunity in 2021, when the UDF lost, but is ahead in seniority, with Satheesan calling himself a follower of Chennithala.

The Congress has to ensure this does not end up becoming another Rajasthan or Karnataka-like leadership tussle. In neighbouring Karnataka, the Congress finds itself split down the middle. Every few days, MLAs supporting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or his Deputy DK Shivakumar air-dash to Delhi to press their case with the High Command. This is because the Shivakumar camp believes........

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