He however, had the firm backing of some Congress allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF), especially the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), besides riding on rare street shows of support for him as a show of “popular sentiment”.
Also read: Who is VD Satheesan? The man who led Congress’s Kerala comeback and won the CM race; Check his net worth here
A popular six-term Congress legislator and leader and a trained lawyer, Sathesan, in his previous role as leader of the Opposition, emerged as the face of the UDF counter to the erstwhile Pinarayi Vijayan regime during the past five years in the assembly and outside.
During the Kerala election campaign, Satheesan acted as the galvaniser of ‘Team UDF’. His occasional run-in with leaders of Hindu social outfits NSS and SNDP, his cementing ties with IUML and his vocal defence of Jamaat-e-Islami’s backing to the Congress particularly endeared him to some social sections besides deftly helping him to tactically position within the Congress and vis a vis its working ties with key UDF allies.
Risen from the ranks — from the Congress students’ wing of the Kerala KSU and Youth Congress — with a stint as one of its national secretaries, Satheesan has the distinction of making it to the chief minister’s post without prior ministerial experience. He recently cited the examples of PM Modi and former Marxist CM, the late VS Achuthanandan, to argue how lack of previous administrative experience need not be a handicap in holding the CM’s post.
AICC announced Satheesan’s pick after 11 days of the Kerala victory during which he, AICC general secretary (org) KC Venugopal and CWC member Ramesh Chennithala emerged as the main contenders for the top post. Political circles in Delhi noted the fact the high command announcement came, incidentally, a day after posters appeared in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, warning her and Rahul Gandhi of Amethi-like consequences if the pitch for Satheesan’s elevation was ignored.Gandhi held a long meeting with Venugopal here on Thursday morning before he, along with the AICC in-charge and observers met at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to formalise the decision. Both Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka’s “inputs” were considered, it is said. Kharge then informed IUML chief Sadiq Ali Sahib Thangal about the choice. Gandhi had spoken to AK Antony on Wednesday evening. AICC sources interpreted the decision as Gandhis “respecting the popular sentiments”.
Also read: Kerala Congress govt to take oath on May 18, says CM-designate Satheesan
After Gandhi informed Satheesan and Chennithala formally about the decision, AICC in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi announced the choice at a presser in Delhi. After a boisterous celebration by his supporters, Satheesan said at a presser in Thiruvananthapuram: “My party, the Indian National Congress, has given me a big responsibility. I thank Congress president, Rahulji and all others. It is the Team UDF workers and Team UDF leaders, who worked hard in the last election, who made this possible for me. People of Kerala have given a big mandate and responsibility by ending 10 years of LDF rule and we will fulfil the promises made to start a new era for Kerala”.
He added: “For attaining the big electoral victory, AICC helped us the most. The person who worked hard to coordinate our work, who reached out to us daily to find out our requirements was AICC general secretary (org) KC Venugopal. As campaign committee head, Ramesh Chennithaa, who is also my leader, played a big role.” He is tentatively scheduled to take the oath early next week.
