By Rahil Nora Chopra
With the exit polls predicting a possible return to power for the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Indian Union Muslim League, the second largest constituent in the Congress-led UDF, has indicated strong support for V D Satheesan for the post of Chief Minister. IUML Kerala president Sadiqali Shihab Thangal said the support received by V D Satheesan for the CM post in the exit polls is the public sentiment. The IUML’s open support for Satheesan may cause problem within sections of the Congress. Party sources have signalled that the Congress high command is aware of developments and is closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the Kerala Congress (Joseph), the third largest party in the UDF, has refused to intervene in the ongoing debate over CM selection and said the issue for the post of chief minister is an internal matter of the Congress. While the senior most leader Ramesh Chennithala is also a formidable contender. Chennithala is close to Sonia Gandhi. Although the Congress high command takes the final call on the CM candidate after considering the views of elected legislators, the role of the IUML, the second-largest party in the UDF, will be decisive if the alliance wins with a narrow margin in the 140-member Assembly.
KHARGE INDICATES NO LEADERSHIP CHANGE IN KARNATAKA CONGRESS NOW
Amid ongoing whispers about possible leadership changes in the Karnataka Congress, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has said there is no plan to replace the chief minister for now and expressed that the issue would be settled soon. Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have continued to push for his elevation, stating that an alleged power-sharing understanding reached with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when Congress formed the government in 2023. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is pressing for a cabinet reshuffle. However, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is looking forward for the Chief Minister’s post, is opposed to the reshuffle. Currently, two Cabinet berths are vacant due to the resignation of K N Rajanna and B Nagendra. Senior leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed his desire to summon Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar after the five-state assembly election results, to settle the leadership issue in Karnataka.
TAMIL NADU CM MK STALIN HOLDS MEETING FOR POLL RESULTS DAY STRATEGY
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin organized a high-level meeting with senior party leaders in Chennai, reviewing the exit poll trends and preparations for the upcoming vote counting. DMK sources said that Stalin emphasized on finalising strategy and providing instructions to the party’s booth agents, who will be witnessing the vote counting. On the other hand, AIADMK is looking forward for the option of holding talks with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam after exit poll predictions projected a strong debut for TVK in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly election. However, Axis My India projections gave Vijay’s party 98 to 120 seats, placing it alongside the DMK-led alliance, while DMK-INC+ was projected to win 92 to 110 seats and the NDA 22 to 32 seats. The exit poll also suggested that Vijay had emerged as the most preferred choice for Chief Minister with 37 per cent support, narrowly ahead of Chief Minister MK Stalin at 35 per cent.
RAHUL STRESSES ON GRASSROOTS STRENGTH IN 10-DAY CONGRESS WORKSHOP
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi stressed on organisational reforms and stronger grassroots engagement while addressing a ten-day training workshop for district presidents in Dharamsala. The workshop, conducted under the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, focussed on strengthening the party’s grassroots structure and was attended by 62 office-bearers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The workshop included discussions on organisational issues, policy challenges and grassroots outreach. Rahul Gandhi’s visit also coincided with internal discussions on expanding women’s representation. The All India Mahila Congress has been pushing for one-third reservation for women in legislatures and within the party structure, and accusing the BJP of delaying implementation. (IPA Service)
