Three-hour meeting fails to end impasse over Congress Chief Minister for Kerala

Despite consultations between Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala and V.D. Satheesan, and KPCC president Sunny Joseph, a decision on naming a Chief Minister for Kerala remains stalled. The high command has until May 23 to finalize the candidate after considering claims from each faction, including those of Congress MLA-designates and constituents of the United Democratic Front (UDF). The consultations were marked by intense posturing and competing claims, with party workers removing aggressive flex boards and appeals made to maintain decorum.