​Primary league: On the Congress, UDF, 2026 Kerala Assembly elections

Congress leaders in Kerala have been caught off guard by the IUML's public endorsement of V.D. Satheesan for Chief Minister, despite the party's internal agreements to let the legislature choose its leader. This move has sparked concerns about sectarian tensions and the IUML's maximalist demands within the UDF coalition, potentially jeopardizing the Front's social base. The IUML, however, is urged to respect established norms of Kerala's coalition politics, which involve a collective leadership decision by all partners.