VD Satheesan was chosen despite intense competition from K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala. Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi considered public sentiment when making their decision. Internal tensions emerged during the selection process, but Venugopal ultimately supported Satheesan's appointment for the party's greater good.

The Congress high command was divided: Sonia Gandhi supported Chennithala, Rahul Gandhi backed Venugopal, and Priyanka Gandhi favoured Satheesan. This revealed internal conflicts within the party's High Command. Additionally, the Congress faced pressure from its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and from public sentiment, both of which affected the Gandhi family's image.

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi discussed the situation, but their disagreements were apparent in posters displayed outside Congress offices and at Priyanka's Wayanad office. One such poster read, "Mr. Rahul, KC may be your bag bearer, but the people of Kerala will never forgive you," expressing discontent with Rahul's choice of Venugopal.

Rahul Gandhi played a crucial role in selecting Kerala's Chief Minister by assessing public sentiment and coordinating with the contenders — Venugopal, Satheesan, and Chennithala. He held extensive meetings in Delhi with Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi to address the post-election deadlock within the United Democratic Front (UDF).

The IUML endorsed VD Satheesan for his secular stance. Venugopal met with Rahul and Priyanka for over two hours to express his support for Satheesan's appointment as Chief Minister. Although Venugopal was also a leading candidate, he emphasised that the party's interests should come first. Satheesan, a six-term MLA and leader of the UDF campaign, pledged to resign if the UDF did not secure at least 100 of Kerala's 140 seats. The alliance ultimately won 102 seats, with Congress emerging as the largest party, reflecting trust in Satheesan's leadership.

Rahul Gandhi's support for Venugopal was complicated by the need for Venugopal to resign from his MP role to become an MLA. Grassroots protests favoured Satheesan, who emerged as a strong opposition voice against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government. He played a key role in the UDF's return to power in Kerala after a decade.

These grassroots protests against the possible appointment of Venugopal as Chief Minister highlighted internal divisions within Congress. Satheesan acknowledged that these demonstrations influenced public sentiment. The Congress Party sees an opportunity to present itself as a significant alternative to the BJP.

Satheesan's ability to excite Kerala's political landscape will depend on several key factors. He will work with the party, but the power structure and hierarchy are important. During the 2021 Assembly election, the divide between the Christian and Muslim communities hurt the Congress Party. This divide led many to distance themselves from the party, helping Pinarayi Vijayan secure a second term as Chief Minister.

As Kerala's newly sworn-in Chief Minister, VD Satheesan faces immediate administrative challenges, including a severe financial crisis, mounting debt, and a significant revenue deficit. His resolve to address these issues can inspire confidence in his leadership.

His immediate challenge is cabinet formation, which involves accommodating various factions within the Congress, satisfying key alliance partners like the IUML, and preventing resentment within the party. He has announced ten Congress ministers and later five IUML ministers.

He must also address a significant fiscal deficit and substantial state debt, making economic growth a priority. He needs to improve the economy, provide jobs for the jobless, navigate minority community politics, combat BJP criticism of ties with the League and Jamaat-e-Islami, and maintain unity while avoiding sabotage from rival political factions.

He stated that he would ensure everyone was included in the process and emphasised that dissent is an essential aspect of democracy. "Those who dislike me, those who opposed me, and those who criticised me all have the right to express their views," he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami has played a significant role in consolidating Muslim votes for Satheesan. Maintaining his secular credentials while dealing with such allies will be challenging. Satheesan also faces the tough job of balancing the interests of the Jamaat with those of its main rival, the Sunni supreme body Samastha, which has quietly supported him.

Satheesan leads a legislative party that includes some members who did not support him. He may risk losing support from Hindu voters who are worried about the growing influence of the Muslim community. This situation also concerns moderate and reformist Muslims who are anxious about these changes.

Upon becoming Chief Minister, Satheesan has highlighted the mandate as a collective achievement. His success in building a strong team and navigating Kerala's political and financial challenges will determine if his transition from Cantonment House to Cliff House marks a significant milestone in his career. (IPA Service)