No urgency on CM pick, says Muraleedharan, decision after election results on May 4

Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Sunday said he will reveal his opinion on the Chief Minister candidate only after May 4 , when the results of the Kerala Assembly elections are declared, stressing that any discussion on leadership at this stage is premature.

Responding to questions on internal deliberations within the Congress regarding possible Chief Ministerial faces , Muraleedharan said there is “sufficient time” to take such decisions after the verdict. He added that once the results are announced, the opinions of elected MLAs and MPs would be sought to decide the parliamentary party leader .

“There is no situation now where a decision has to be taken within 24 hours,” he said, adding that he too has a view but will share it only after May 4.

Muraleedharan expressed confidence that the United Democratic Front (UDF) would emerge victorious in the 140-seat Kerala Assembly elections held on April 9. He said that if the UDF comes to power, the front would not need to select a Leader of Opposition , as that responsibility would go to the CPI(M) , adding that “their turn has come.”

Commenting on national politics, he said the CPI(M) is actively contesting in West Bengal but noted the absence of clear coordination with Congress in the state.

Muraleedharan also reiterated that he is currently touring his constituency, Vattiyoorkavu , and urged party leaders earlier to avoid public speculation over Chief Ministerial candidates such as V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K S Venugopal , saying it could create a negative impression among voters.

In a broader political context, he pointed out that while several parties have already announced clear Chief Ministerial candidates in different states, the Congress has yet to finalise or declare its CM face in Tamil Nadu , where other parties have already made their choices clear.

Muraleedharan’s remarks come amid ongoing internal discussions within the party over post-election leadership arrangements.