BJP Criticizes Congress Over New Kerala Chief Minister Pick

The BJP criticized the Congress for appointing V D Satheesan as Kerala's Chief Minister, suggesting infighting and influence from the Indian Union Muslim League. The decision, allegedly driven by Priyanka Gandhi, highlights internal conflicts and alliance pressure within the Congress, sparking speculation of a 'remote-controlled' government.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Congress on Thursday for choosing V D Satheesan as Kerala's next Chief Minister. This move, the BJP claims, reveals infighting within the Congress and suggests that the new government will be 'remote-controlled' by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key coalition ally.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asserted that the decision, made in New Delhi rather than Kerala, was imposed by the Congress central leadership under pressure, particularly from Priyanka Gandhi. He alleged that Gandhi opposed her brother Rahul's preferred candidate, K C Venugopal, leading to intra-family discord.

Poonawalla further accused the Congress of succumbing to the influence of religious groups and alliance partners. He predicted that factional rivalries similar to those in the Karnataka Congress would emerge in Kerala, likely leading to government instability in the state.