Nearly a week after the results of the five state elections were declared on 4 May, new governments have already been sworn in in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Assam and Puducherry have also finalised their chief ministerial appointments and oath-taking ceremonies. Kerala, however, remains the only state where the new Chief Minister has not yet been announced, despite the Congress-led alliance securing a clear majority in the Assembly election. KC Venugopal emerges as frontrunner in Kerala Congress organisational general secretary KC Venugopal, former Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala are currently considered the leading contenders for the top post. On 6 May, the Congress high command deputed Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken to Kerala as party observers to hold consultations with newly elected MLAs. After meeting legislators, the observers said discussions had been held with all party MLAs before submitting a report to the central leadership. According to reports, a majority of Congress MLAs backed KC Venugopal’s candidature in the internal consultations. Majority of Congress MLAs reportedly back Venugopal Reports suggest that between 75% and 80% of the Congress party’s 63 MLAs are supporting Venugopal for the Chief Minister’s post. There is also speculation that Sunny Joseph, who won from the Irikkur constituency, could resign his Assembly seat if Venugopal is chosen as Chief Minister, allowing him to contest a by-election from the constituency. VD Satheesan, meanwhile, reportedly received the support of only six MLAs during the consultations. However, three former Kerala Congress presidents are said to have endorsed his candidature after the meeting. Several allies within the United Democratic Front (UDF), including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Kerala Congress (Joseph), have also publicly backed Satheesan. Himanta to take oath for second term in Assam In Assam, the BJP legislature party met on Sunday and unanimously re-elected Himanta Biswa Sarma as its leader. He is set to be sworn in as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term on 12 May at 11 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders and several NDA Chief Ministers are expected to attend the ceremony, which party leaders are projecting as a major political show of strength in the Northeast. Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia said the party would formally stake claim to form the government before the Governor by noon. “This will be a historic moment, as Himanta will take oath along with 102 MLAs in the presence of Prime Minister Modi,” Saikia said. Puducherry swearing-in scheduled for 13 May Meanwhile, in Puducherry, N. Ramasamy is scheduled to be sworn in as Chief Minister on 13 May.
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