Kerala CM-designate VD Satheesan denies rift with KC Venugopal

VD Satheesan with KC Venugopal (Image/PTI)

NEW DELHI: Kerala chief minister-designate VD Satheesan on Saturday rejected reports of any feud with senior Congress leader KC Venugopal after meeting him at his residence. He asserted that the organisational and cabinet-related decisions were being taken jointly through consultations. The oath-taking ceremony of the new Congress-led UDF government will take place on May 18, while discussions over cabinet formation and portfolio allocation are currently underway among alliance partners.

Satheesan's remarks came amid intense speculation over internal differences within the Congress following the prolonged 10-day suspense over the chief ministerial post after the UDF’s sweeping victory in the Kerala assembly elections. Venugopal, who was also considered a strong contender for the top post, had reportedly enjoyed the backing of several MLAs. Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala too was in the race before the Congress high command finally picked Satheesan as chief minister on May 14.

Satheesan arrived at Venugopal's residence around 1.30 pm, where the two leaders held discussions for over 45 minutes. Several Congress leaders and newly elected MLAs were also present during the meeting.

Addressing reporters jointly after the meeting, both leaders strongly denied reports of any internal rift and stressed that the party leadership was functioning collectively. "We do everything after consulting each other. Organisational matters in Kerala and cabinet-related issues are discussed and decided jointly," Satheesan said. "There is no issue that cannot be resolved if we sit together for 10 or 15 minutes. Sometimes he may be right, and sometimes I may be right. We correct each other mutually," he added.

Satheesan also dismissed media reports suggesting divisions within the Congress leadership. "Nothing happened in Congress the way some journalists intended. Some people saw us as enemies," he said.

Highlighting Venugopal’s organisational role, Satheesan observed that the AICC general secretary was responsible for forwarding all ministerial approvals to the Congress high command. "he person responsible for obtaining the approval of the Congress president and Rahul Gandhi for the decisions taken here is AICC general secretary KC Venugopal. All the papers for approval go through him," he said.

Satheesan further underlined his long personal and political relationship with Venugopal. "The two of us have travelled all over the world together. We share such a great emotional bond," he said.

Venugopal too sought to end speculation around factionalism within the Kerala Congress and asserted that the party would stand united behind the new government. "If anyone even touches this body, it has Congress blood. Congress means everything to us. Once the party takes a decision, our aim is to stand firmly by it and fight for it," Venugopal said. "The party is the thread that binds everything together. Whatever differences of opinion may exist, the one force that unites all of us is the Indian National Congress," he added.

He also said people in Kerala had high expectations from the new UDF government and stressed that the focus should now shift to governance and addressing issues faced by ordinary people. "As a Congressman, it is my responsibility to extend full support to him while he carries out that mission," Venugopal said.

The latest show of unity came a day after Venugopal had publicly downplayed reports of friction within the party and said all issues involving senior leaders, including Chennithala, would be resolved smoothly. "Everything will be resolved smoothly. Congress leaders in Kerala are disciplined and abide by the party’s decisions," Venugopal had said on Friday after arriving in Kerala. "I accept the party’s decision. There is no need to discuss it further," he had added while responding to questions about missing out on the chief minister’s post.

Venugopal had also dismissed reports of a separate 'KC faction' emerging within the Congress. "Do not get into other controversies. I have been seeing talk of a 'KC faction' for the past two days. There is no need for such factions. There will be good ministers, and capable Congress MLAs have been elected, he had said.

Meanwhile, Satheesan on Saturday confirmed that discussions on cabinet formation and portfolio allocation among UDF allies were in the final stages. He said the list of ministers would be submitted to Kerala governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar by Sunday afternoon. "By tomorrow afternoon, the list of the Chief Minister and 20 ministers will be submitted to the Governor," Satheesan said.

Earlier, Satheesan also met Chennithala for the second time in two days amid continuing efforts by the Congress leadership to persuade the senior leader to join the Cabinet after his disappointment over missing out on the chief minister’s post.

The Congress-led UDF secured a decisive mandate in the 140-member Kerala assembly by winning 102 seats, ending the CPM-led Left Democratic Front’s decade-long rule in the state.