No CM face yet: Tharoor backs MLA choice as Congress finalises Kerala line-up

AAs the Kerala Assembly elections draw closer, the Congress is shaping its campaign with a dual strategy, finalising candidates while avoiding projecting a chief ministerial face . The party recently released its second list of 37 candidates , taking its total to 92 announced names so far, while making it clear that no Lok Sabha MPs will be in the fray. Kerala has a total of 140 assembly seats , and the magic figure to form a majority government is 71 seats .

Amid this, senior leader Shashi Tharoor has firmly ruled himself out of the chief ministerial race, stating that he is not a candidate and that “ideally, the CM should be chosen from among elected MLAs.” His remarks underline the Congress’ long-standing approach in Kerala, fight elections as a party, choose leadership later .

The candidate selection process itself has reflected intense internal negotiations. Demands from leaders like K. Sudhakaran to contest were eventually resolved after intervention by senior figures such as A. K. Antony , reinforcing a message of unity. In Kannur, the party has fielded T. O. Mohanan instead.

While most sitting MLAs have been retained, the Congress has made selective changes. In Perumbavoor , Eldhose Kunnapilly has been replaced by Manoj Moothedan , and in Tripunithura, K. Babu has opted out, making way for Deepak Joy . The party has also strategically held back candidates in a few constituencies where CPI(M) rebels are contesting, indicating a cautious political calculation.

At the same time, the Congress has worked to manage dissent and expand its base. Leaders like Saji Joseph have been accommodated, while new faces such as Youth Congress leader Abin Varkey have been given opportunities. Former BJP leader Sandeep Varier’s inclusion further signals an attempt to widen the party’s appeal.

On the campaign front, Tharoor is set to play an active role across the state. As co-chair of the campaign committee, he plans to travel extensively across all 14 districts, focusing particularly on youth, professionals, and public outreach. Describing his role as a “mixed bag,” he noted that not contesting allows him to campaign freely without constituency constraints.

Tharoor also echoed Rahul Gandhi ’s recent message urging party leaders to “move together,” suggesting that internal differences are being set aside as the election approaches. Using a cricketing analogy, he said the Congress-led UDF is throwing “googlies” at the ruling Left, which he believes is facing strong anti-incumbency after a decade in power under Pinarayi Vijayan .

However, he acknowledged a strategic gap. While modern elections often revolve around a visible leader, Kerala remains an exception where the Congress believes it can win on agenda, organisation, and legacy rather than a single face .

With just weeks to go and a relatively short campaign window, the Congress is now racing to resolve remaining differences and intensify its outreach, betting that collective leadership and anti-incumbency sentiment will tilt the balance in its favour.