Posters targeting Rahul Gandhi surface amid Kerala CM pick deadlock
What's the story
Posters targeting Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have appeared in Wayanad, Kerala. The posters come amid a deadlock over the selection of the next Kerala chief minister after the Congress-led United Democratic Front's (UDF) landslide victory in the recent assembly elections. The UDF won 102 out of 140 seats in the state assembly.
Poster messages
Posters read 'Forget Wayanad, you won't win again from here'
The posters appeared outside the Wayanad district Congress committee office. One of the posters warned the Gandhi siblings, "Mr Rahul and Priyanka, forget Wayanad. You won't win again from here." Another poster appeared to target party general secretary KC Venugopal with the message: "Mr Rahul, KC might be your bag bearer, but people of Keralam never forgive you." A third poster read: "RG and PG, this is not a warning. Kerala will never forgive you for this blunder."
Leadership uncertainty
Congress high command deliberating on next Kerala CM
Even 10 days after the election result was declared, the Congress high command is still deliberating on who should be the next chief minister of Kerala. The delay has caused unease among party workers and sections of the public. The Congress Legislature Party has already authorized central leadership to finalize a candidate after consulting newly elected MLAs and alliance partners.
Public pressure
IUML expresses frustration over delay in CM selection
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a UDF coalition partner, has also expressed frustration over the delay in selecting a new chief minister. IUML MLA elect Kurukkoli Moideen said people, especially women, keep asking him about the delay. He said "it has become a big issue" and even Congress workers are disappointed with the situation.
Political mockery
BJP mocks Congress over chief minister deadlock
The three main contenders are Ramesh Chennithala, VD Satheesan and Venugopal. While Venugopal has the support of the majority of elected Congress MLAs, Satheesan enjoys widespread support among party members and key allies such as the IUML and Kerala Congress (Joseph). Chennithala is a former Opposition leader in the state. The party's key challenge has been that none of the candidates are without political merit and each is supported by a faction of the party or newly elected MLAs.