Trans icon Maya Thakur writes to Himachal CM to facilitate overseas jobs for community
Shimla, Expressing concern over challenges faced by the transgender community in India, activist Maya Thakur has written a letter to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, seeking ‘systemic reforms’ in criminal and labour laws. Thakur, a transgender woman who was designated ‘election icon’ for the state poll body in Solan, told PTI on Friday that discrimination in education and jobs against the community remains a major issue in India, and urged the CM to facilitate overseas job opportunities for transgender people. Appreciating the recent initiative of the Himachal government facilitating overseas jobs for youths in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, Thakur — who herself has been seeking employment opportunities — pointed out that “even today, it is nearly impossible for a transgender person to find a decent job or even a room on rent, especially in North India, due to deep-rooted discrimination”. Last year, the Himachal Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation was officially authorised by the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate securing overseas jobs and organise recruitment drives for international positions like bike-borne delivery riders in the UAE. Citing examples of European countries like Germany and Norway, which have more inclusive laws and a safe environment for transgender persons, Thakur suggested initiating partnerships with European nations specifically for the recruitment of transgender persons from Himachal, adding that overseas employment in these nations will provide safety to the community. “There are transgender people who wish to study, become teachers, lawyers, join the police and excel in other spheres of life, but when we apply for jobs, the response that we usually get is — will tell you if there is any scheme for you.” “I was born a male but identify myself as a woman. My identity is a transgender woman, we are unisex, not eunuchs,” says Thakur, who hails from Kothi village in Kunihar area of Solan district. Thakur’s proposal, Himachal Pradesh Systemic Reforms Initiative (HPSRI), calls for amendments in criminal laws, saying that the fear of law has disappeared, and workers are being exploited Thakur, who previously worked for an NGO in Delhi and has been actively looking for jobs, has also pushed for a stringent ‘overtime law’ to compensate for extra work, instead of ad hoc payments ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 200. Other suggestions made by Thakur include Gulf-style law enforcement, which advocates the death penalty for rape as a deterrent, zero tolerance towards corruption, and speedy disposal of corruption cases. Thakur also suggested hiring European engineers for technical skill development, sending Himachali students to Europe and inviting European experts for “on-site training”. “Himachal ko ab purani neetiyon ki nahi, balki bade badlav ki zarurat hai (Himachal now needs change and not the old policies),” Thakur, who herself has been trying to seek jobs, said. PTI BPL KSI KSI This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
KC Venugopal will remain in the game with ‘powerplay’, say his supporters
There is palpable discontent within the Venugopal camp over the manner in which he was, according to his supporters, “disgracefully” elbowed out by the Congress high command. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Till Thursday, for some, Congress organisational general secretary K C Venugopal was the ‘kingmaker’. A powerful ‘Goliath’. But all that changed as the political landscape around him shifted dramatically in a matter of hours. Within party circles, the mighty Goliath appeared to fall before ‘David’ — V D Satheesan. And, with the tables now turned, the question being asked is: What next for the once-invincible and trusted lieutenant of Rahul Gandhi? Venugopal’s name was among the first to emerge for the post of chief minister after the UDF’s sweeping victory in Kerala. His political rise — from KSU state president in 1988, Youth Congress state president, MLA, MP, state minister, Union minister, and finally to the Congress’s second most powerful organisational post — had long been regarded as enviable. Consequently, he has as many detractors as admirers, with many now privately rejoicing his fall. Meanwhile, there is palpable discontent within the Venugopal camp over the manner in which he was, according to his supporters, “disgracefully” elbowed out by the Congress high command. “The high command should have asked him to stay away from the race if it had decided that Satheesan would be the chief minister,” said an associate of Venugopal. “Venugopal has played the role of kingmaker in several states while selecting chief ministers. However, in his own state, he could not even announce the next chief minister. The high command could have avoided such a humiliation.” Notably, it was Venugopal who played a major role in making Satheesan the leader of the opposition in 2021, even though Ramesh Chennithala enjoyed majority support in the Congress legislative party at that time. Subsequently, however, the Venugopal camp got rattled as Satheesan began asserting control over the organisation. As a counter, Venugopal first tightened his grip over the Youth Congress by appointing loyalists. Then, during the KPCC reorganisation, his faction secured near-complete control over the organisation. This was reflected in the distribution of Assembly election tickets, helping him secure the support of more than 40 MLAs for his chief ministerial ambitions. Meanwhile, the Venugopal camp dismissed murmurs that the Satheesan faction had begun influencing these MLAs. Leaders close to Venugopal indicated that, as long as he enjoys the trust of Rahul and remains the AICC organisational general secretary, he would continue to play a major role in the state Congress in the coming days. “In politics, power dictates everything. A Congress chief minister cannot move forward without relying on the AICC leadership. That dependence begins with cabinet formation,” said a veteran Congress leader. K S Sreejith Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala CM selection: Priyanka Gandhi’s role, senior leaders’ backing turned tide in favour of VD Satheesan
Sources said Priyanka’s influence was critical, pushing for consideration of public sentiment and grassroots opinion when making the decision. NEW DELHI: A decisive role played by Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and the strong backing of senior Congress leaders from Kerala worked in favour of V D Satheesan to edge out K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala in the final rounds of consultations to choose the chief minister pick for Kerala, said party sources. While Congress ended 10 days of political uncertainty by naming Satheesan as the CM, the path to the decision-making was anything but smooth. The high-stakes battle for the CM post saw marathon meetings, swirling speculation, last-minute changes, and intense back-channel negotiations. A key factor favouring Satheesan was the risk of potential by-elections if Venugopal were chosen. The UDF would have faced two polls — Venugopal’s assembly seat and the Alappuzha Lok Sabha seat — under politically challenging conditions, senior leaders had warned. Sources said Priyanka’s influence was critical, pushing for consideration of public sentiment and grassroots opinion when making the decision. The leadership was also mindful of the firm support Satheesan enjoyed from the Indian Union Muslim League, the UDF’s key ally. Sources said Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka held at least three rounds of discussions, anticipating potential setbacks in the 2029 general election. The internal divisions even spilled onto the streets. Early this week, posters appeared outside district Congress offices and Priyanka’s Wayanad office, warning Rahul against choosing Venugopal. “Mr Rahul, KC might be your bag bearer, but the people of Kerala will never forgive you,” read one of the posters. The final push for Satheesan came after Rahul’s one-on-one consultations with senior leaders, including former KPCC presidents K Muraleedharan and V M Sudheeran, and veteran leader A K Antony. They stressed that public sentiment, as reflected in widespread protests across the state, should be a decisive factor in selecting the new chief minister. It is learnt that Sudheeran briefed Rahul on Satheesan’s support across all sections of society. The reports from AICC observers had suggested Venugopal enjoyed strong backing, with at least 46 of 63 Congress MLAs in his favour. Insiders say that Chennithala, despite his experience and seniority, was never seriously considered even as a compromise candidate. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“Horse riding is our right”: Dalit groom attacked, baraat stopped by caste Hindu men in Gujarat
Horse riding during weddings is a common practice across India, yet Dalit grooms repeatedly face opposition from uppercaste people. A Dalit groom’s traditional wedding procession was allegedly stopped midway in Madi village of Gujarat’s Mehsana district after upper-caste men objected to him riding a horse during the ceremony. The incident occurred around 10 am on May 10 near the village dairy and has once again highlighted the continuing resistance to Dalit assertions of cultural equality despite constitutional and legal safeguards. Complainant Bhavik Rawat stated that his younger brother, groom Mayank Rawat, faced abuse from Yuvrajsinh Chauhan and Nikulsinh Chauhan of the Darbar community. The accused allegedly hurled casteist slurs, manhandled the groom and claimed horse mounted processions as an exclusive Darbar right. The accused threatened the family against proceeding, which led to panic among relatives and guests, halting the baraat before it reached Ahmedabad for the ceremony. Ladol police in Vijapur taluka swiftly registered an FIR against the duo under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Local activist Kaushik Parmar highlighted this as evidence of persistent discrimination, even amid constitutional protections. Horse riding during weddings is a common practice across India, yet Dalit grooms repeatedly face opposition from uppercaste people. Such violence often erupts over symbolic assertions of dignity, such as a Dalit groom riding a horse, playing music, or passing through dominant-caste localities, practices that challenge entrenched social hierarchies. In April 2026, a 23-year-old physically disabled Dalit groom, Golu Ahirwar, was allegedly dragged off a horse and assaulted during a pre-wedding procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district after caste-Hindu men objected to him riding through the village. His family members were also allegedly assaulted and robbed when they intervened. In February 2026, armed men from the Thakur community allegedly attacked a Dalit wedding procession in Sunana village of Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district using firearms, swords, and sticks, while hurling caste slurs and vandalising the DJ system. In another February 2026 incident in Chandrumana village, Patan district of Gujarat, Dalit groom Vishal Chavda was allegedly attacked with swords and casteist abuse for riding a horse during his wedding procession. In April 2025, a 22-year-old Dalit groom in Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly dragged off his mare, beaten, and robbed over objections to loud music near upper-caste houses. Around the same period in Bulandshahr, upper-caste men reportedly stopped a Dalit baraat for playing DJ music, assaulted guests, and forced the procession to turn back. Similar incidents involving violence or intimidation against Dalit wedding processions have also been reported from districts such as Meerut, Etah, Amroha, and Tikamgarh. These recurring attacks continue to highlight the deep-rooted nature of caste discrimination in social and cultural spaces despite constitutional guarantees of equality and the abolition of untouchability. Other incidents in Mehsana district show that caste tensions are recurring. In 2019, a Dalit youth was allegedly assaulted and forced to shave his moustache by dominant caste men, an act seen as humiliation and assertion of social hierarchy. During the 2016 period of Dalit protests in Gujarat, the district also witnessed tensions and demonstrations, reflecting deeper caste divisions. Courtesy : Maktoob Media Note: This news is originally published on https:/maktoobmedia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Gujarat: Dalit groom attacked for riding horse in wedding procession
The accused allegedly abused the groom using casteist slurs and claimed the it is not his right to mount a horse for processions. Ahmedabad: A group of upper-caste men allegedly attacked and abused a Dalit groom using casteist slurs over him riding a horse during his wedding procession in Madi village of Gujarat’s Mehsana district. The incident, which occurred on May 10 near the village dairy, marks another instance of resistance to Dalit inclusion and equality in society. Although riding a horse during a wedding procession is customary in most Indian weddings, Dalit grooms are repeatedly targeted for taking part in the tradition. Complaint filed The groom, Mayank Rawat’s brother, Bhavik Rawat, lodged a complaint alleging that Tuvrajsinh Chauhan and Nikulsinh Chauhan of the Darbar community attacked them. The accused allegedly mauled and abused the groom using casteist slurs, and reportedly told him that mounting a horse for processions is the right of a Darbar alone. Panic ensued when the accused threatened the family from continuing the baraat, effectively halting the relatives from proceeding to Ahmedabad for the wedding ceremony. A first information report (FIR) was registered by the Ladol police against the accused Tuvrajsinh and Nikulsinh under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act. According to local activist Kaushik, the attack proves that Dalits continue to face discrimination despite constitutional protections. On April 29, a Dalit bride’s wedding procession in Rajasthan’s Udaipur was targeted as the attackers forced her off the horse while hurling abuses at her family. Days before the previous incident, a physically handicapped Dalit groom in Madhya Pradesh’s capital was similarly dragged off a horse and assaulted during his baraat. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Deadly attack on tribal church leaders in Manipur: 3 killed, CM orders strict action
Three tribal church leaders were tragically killed in an ambush by militants in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Following the incident, tensions rose in the area, with organizations announcing a three-day shutdown, and the Chief Minister ordered strict action against the culprits. New Delhi: On the morning of Wednesday, May 13, 2026, suspected armed militants ambushed a group of tribal church leaders in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Three leaders were tragically killed and four others seriously injured in this horrific incident while they were returning from a Baptist convention in Churachandpur. Members of the Thadou Baptist Association of India (TBAI) and the United Baptist Council (UBC) were traveling in two separate vehicles. The attack occurred suddenly at around 10 a.m. on the hilly “Tiger Road” between Kotlen and Kotzim villages. This road connects the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. Since ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities on May 3, 2023, Kukis have been using this rugged route to avoid the shorter route through the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley. An eyewitness who narrowly escaped the attack told security personnel that the attackers arrived on foot. They opened fire for about three to four minutes from a hilltop before fleeing. According to an official familiar with the matter, it is suspected that 8 to 10 armed men opened indiscriminate fire on both vehicles with automatic rifles like AK-47s. Those killed in this cowardly attack include TBAI President Reverend Vumthang Sitlhou, Finance Secretary Reverend Kaigoulun Lhouwum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou. The TBAI president recently led a delegation of Kuki Christian leaders to Nagaland to broker peace between the Kuki and Tangkhul Nagas in Manipur’s troubled Kamjong and Ukhrul districts. According to a statement issued by the Indian Army, joint teams of security forces immediately evacuated the injured to the nearest hospital and launched a massive search operation in the area. Three of the injured have been admitted to a private hospital in Imphal for treatment. Another person who managed to escape was later rescued safely from the hills. Several Thadou, Kuki, and Zomi organizations have called for a three-day “complete shutdown” in Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and other districts to protest the incident. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh strongly condemned the incident. He, along with Deputy Chief Minister Losi Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, and other MLAs, visited the hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured. The Chief Minister assured that the government would bear the full cost of their treatment. He sternly stated that such attacks, which undermine collective efforts to restore peace in the state, would not be tolerated and that the culprits, including their masters, would be punished. Immediately following the incident, the Senapati district unit of the United Naga Council claimed that residents of Leilon Vaiphei village had taken hostage approximately 20 Nagas from Konsakhul village. Meanwhile, the president of a Kuki village in the same Naga-dominated district appealed to the police to immediately release 23 Kuki laborers held hostage by locals. Chief Ministers of neighboring states have also expressed deep outrage over the massacre. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma condemned the incident and urged the Manipur government to take immediate and strict action against those responsible. The Naga Legislature Forum of Manipur, comprising nine MLAs, issued a joint statement appealing for peace and demanding the release of all detained Kuki and Naga citizens. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), Kuki Zo Council, Thadou Inpi Manipur, and the United Christian Forum of Northeast India (UCFNEI) also expressed deep condolences. UCFNEI spokesperson Alan Brooks said the killing of these peaceful leaders, who dedicated their lives to the spiritual upliftment of society, was an inhumane act. The attack has sparked a blame game in the state. Several extremist and fundamentalist groups, including the NSCN (I-M), ZUF, ZUF (Kamsan), Arambai Tenggol, and the Kuki National Army, are suspected of carrying out the attack. However, all these groups have categorically denied any involvement in the attack. Meanwhile, the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHURU) has directly alleged that the attack was a planned terrorist act carried out in collusion with the NSCN (I-M) and the ZUF. The trust states that the slain leaders were playing a key role in organizing peace talks and that this initiative was met with gunfire. Since February 2026, several violent clashes have occurred between Kuki and Tangkhul Nagas in Ukhrul and Kamjong, Manipur, resulting in numerous deaths and burning of homes. A Naga organization has expressed suspicion that some Kuki extremist groups may have carried out this attack to sabotage the Chief Minister’s peace initiative. The slain leaders were scheduled to have a special meeting with the Chief Minister on May 15th, prior to his visit to Churachandpur. Amidst these theories, security forces also believe that this could be a case of mistaken identity. A security official said it appears the attackers were unaware that church leaders were traveling in the vehicles. An intensive investigation is currently underway to identify the real killers. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Family members carried the body 15 km on bicycles to the police station seeking justice; tribal family protests in Odisha!
The family, demanding justice, said they were forced to carry the body to the police station so that their voices would be heard. On May 11th, a long-standing land dispute between two neighboring families in Haripur village, under the Khaira police station area of Balasore district, escalated into a violent dispute. A fight broke out during construction work, leading to members of one family attacking the other with shovels, spades, hammers, and sharp weapons. 39-year-old Kamala Sethi died on the spot, while her sister-in-law, Shakuntala Sethi, was seriously injured and admitted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack. The family alleges that the dispute has been ongoing for the past five years and they have complained to the police and the village head several times, but no action has been taken. Alleging delays in the arrest of the main accused despite the murder, the family brought the body home on Monday night and then carried it on bicycles, traveling approximately 12-15 kilometers to the Khaira police station on Tuesday. They staged a sit-in protest outside the police station, blocking the road, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused, compensation, and a resolution to the land dispute. Traffic was disrupted during the protest, and villagers also showed their support. The family alleges that three days have passed since the incident, yet the police have still not arrested the main accused. Angry family members carried Kamala Sethi’s body on bicycles and marched 15 kilometers to the Khaira police station. Senior officials, including Balasore Superintendent of Police Pratyush Diwakar, arrived at the scene. Police registered a case. One accused has been arrested, while two others are absconding and a search is underway. The police offered the family an ambulance, but the family continued their protest. The Superintendent of Police assured them that the remaining accused would be arrested soon, that an investigation was underway, and that action would be taken if any negligence was found on the part of the police. This incident has sparked widespread debate about police inaction, the resolution of pending disputes, and the law and order situation in rural areas. People expressed outrage after the video went viral on social media. The Tribal Army posted a clip of the incident, writing, “A tribal family in Balasore, Odisha, had to carry the body of a woman on bicycles for 15 kilometers to the police station to protest police inaction in a murder case allegedly related to a land dispute. This incident in Balasore district raises serious questions about law and order and police accountability. Will we now have to take a dead body out on the streets to get justice?” The family, demanding justice, said they were forced to carry the body to the police station to ensure their voices were heard. The administration has also assured a legal resolution to the land dispute. This case raises questions about police reforms and the rural justice system in the state. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Tumakuru rally likely to be transition point for Siddaramaiah govt amid leadership talk
Political analysts said that the event can be interpreted as a farewell to some ministers as Siddaramaiah is planning to visit Delhi soon to seek the approval of the party high command. BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s big ticket rally on May 20, marking the completion of three years in office in Tumakuru is likely to be a transition point. The rally will be a shot in the arm for the Siddaramaiah camp, lobbying for his continuation as CM and expecting a reshuffle of the cabinet. The achievements of the government will be on full display, which is an attempt at image makeover to nullify any anti-incumbency. It has been happening after the Congress retained Davanagere South and Bagalkot assembly seats in the bypolls. With the rally organised in his home district, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, who is with the Siddaramaiah camp and is pitching for the the chief minister’s post under the Dalit quota, will score over Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who has kept his hopes up on becoming CM as per a power sharing agreement arrived at soon after the party came to power in 2023. Parameshwara is ensuring that over two lakh people attend the rally in his own show of strength, though it is an official programme. Political analysts said that the event can be interpreted as a farewell to some ministers as Siddaramaiah is planning to visit Delhi soon to seek the approval of the party high command, especially Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, for a cabinet reshuffle after the Kerala chief minister issue is settled. During the rally, around 1.52 lakh beneficiaries will be presented with title deeds for their lands and houses under different schemes. When the government completed two years in office in 2025, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had organised a similar event in Haveri. Gowda also claimed that several cases pending in the courts of tahsildars and the sub-divisional Officers have been disposed of. “For example, in May 2020, there were 10,774 expired cases pending in tahsildar courts in the state. By April 2026, these had been reduced to just Similarly, there were 73,624 expired cases pending in the courts of the sub-divisional officers. A majority of the cases have been disposed of, and only 7,721 cases are pending. This means 99.9% of pending cases in tahsildar’s courts have been disposed of,” he said. He also mentioned digitisation initiatives such as e-pauti, ‘podi’, to recognise hamlets as revenue villages. During the rally, title deeds will be issued to 2.2 lakh households. Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘People will not forgive’: Posters in Wayanad tear into Rahul, Priyanka
The posters stated that Wayanad had stood with Rahul Gandhi and later Priyanka Gandhi after setbacks in Amethi, but the constituency should not be viewed merely as a politically convenient seat. KALPETTA: As discussions over the chief minister’s post continue within the Congress, posters targeting Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi surfaced in different parts of Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, triggering political controversy. The posters carried sharp criticism against the Gandhi family and senior Congress leader K C Venugopal. One of the messages read: “KC may carry your bag, but the people of Kerala will not forgive you.” Another warned leaders against treating Wayanad as merely a “safe seat” for electoral victories. Posters appeared near the MP office at Karassery in Kozhikode, which falls under the Wayanad constituency, and along roads leading to the DCC office in Wayanad district. Soon after news of the posters spread, many of them were removed. The posters stated that Wayanad had stood with Rahul Gandhi and later Priyanka Gandhi after setbacks in Amethi, but the constituency should not be viewed merely as a politically convenient seat. Slogans such as “No more climbing the Wayanad pass for a safe seat” and “Forget Wayanad” were also displayed. The controversy comes amid growing resentment among Congress and Muslim League workers over the support extended by three Congress MLAs from Wayanad to K C Venugopal during the ongoing leadership discussions. The disagreement has also spilled onto social media platforms in recent days. The posters further warned that ignoring public sentiment would have “serious consequences” and claimed that “Wayanad too could become another Amethi.” It remains unclear who was behind the posters. Courtesy : The New Indian Express Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
VD Satheesan to be Kerala’s next Chief Minister; celebrations erupt across the state
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, KC Venugopal said he will provide all support to the CM and the UDF government in Kerala. Ending days of suspense and intense internal negotiations, the Congress on Tuesday officially named senior leader VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. The announcement was made by AICC state in-charge Deepa Das Munshi in the capital, along with AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh, observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, among others. “The Congress Legislature Party had met in Thiruvananthapuram on May 7, 2026, and had unanimously resolved to authorise the Congress President to appoint the new leader of the CLP in the state of Kerala. Accordingly, the Congress President held extensive discussions with the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the AICC observers who met the newly elected MLAs on May 7, 2026, and many other leaders from the state, including MPs and former KPCC presidents. Based on all these discussions, it has been decided that VD Satheesan be appointed as the leader of the CLP,” said Das Munshi. The decision came after a nine-day deadlock involving a fierce three-way contest among senior leaders VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and AICC General Secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. After the party High Command named Satheesan as the next Chief Minister, celebrations broke out across Kerala. Satheesan was at the Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition, when AICC leaders formally announced the decision in New Delhi. Minutes after the announcement, supporters erupted in celebration, bursting crackers and distributing sweets in several parts of the state. Paravur in Ernakulam district, the Assembly constituency represented by Satheesan since 2001, witnessed particularly grand celebrations, with party workers and residents taking to the streets to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said he accepts the party decision to select V D Satheesan as the chief minister of Kerala and congratulated him. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal said he will provide all support to the CM and the UDF government in Kerala. Citadel S2 delivers style; Daadi Ki Shaadi lacks spark _ RoughCut _ Kaveree Bamzai The announcement, originally scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting, was moved to New Delhi at the last moment. Sources said the change came after senior party leader Rahul Gandhi held an extended meeting with AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C Venugopal, one of the top contenders for the Chief Minister’s post, in the morning. AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi was also present at the meeting. Party sources said the meeting was intended to reach a consensus among all factions before publicly announcing the decision. Rahul Gandhi and the party high command were keen to avoid an open confrontation between supporters of the three leaders, which could have weakened the party’s unity in the early days of the new government. The party reached the decision after multiple rounds of meetings with newly elected MLAs, former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents, working presidents, and senior state leaders. Satheesan, the former Opposition leader who spearheaded election campaigns and took a vocal stand against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, emerged as the consensus candidate. Sources said the leadership was mindful of his popularity across sections of society and his approachability, which tipped the balance in his favour. While Venugopal, considered a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi, enjoyed the support of a majority of Congress MLAs and MPs, Satheesan also had the backing of influential UDF allies, including the IUML. Although Venugopal appeared to be the frontrunner in the initial rounds, sources said the Satheesan camp gained an edge during the leadership’s final round of consultations. Senior leaders such as AK Antony, VM Sudheeran, and K Muraleedharan reportedly urged the leadership to take public sentiment into account, which favoured Satheesan. On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi also held another round of phone calls with Congress MPs to gauge their views on the situation. It was learnt that Priyanka Gandhi, MP from Wayanad, also urged Rahul Gandhi to consider the prevailing political atmosphere before finalising the Chief Ministerial choice. Sources said the leadership was particularly concerned about the firm stand taken by the Muslim League, the UDF’s key ally, which openly supported Satheesan. The development put the leadership in a difficult position, as it anticipated setbacks in the upcoming bypolls and the 2029 general elections. At the same time, the party was keen to avoid the perception of yielding to pressure from its allies. Satheesan’s camp raised concerns that appointing Venugopal would force the UDF to face two by-elections, one to elect him to the Assembly and another for the Alappuzha Lok Sabha seat currently represented by him. According to them, such a move could be politically risky in the state at present. The Congress leadership had been facing mounting pressure to finalise a chief ministerial candidate following the May 4 Assembly election results, in which the party secured a historic mandate of 102 seats. The delay also exposed sharp internal divisions within the party and its allies. Preetha Nair Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights