Tharoor meets Kharge after Kerala UDF win to discuss CM pick
Synopsis
Shashi Tharoor's Friday meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is more than a courtesy call — it is the latest move in a high-stakes internal chess game over who leads Kerala. With the CLP resolution handing the CM choice to the high command and AICC observers already on the ground, the race to India's most politically competitive state government is now firmly in New Delhi's hands.
Key Takeaways
Shashi Tharoor met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on 8 May to discuss Kerala's post-election political situation.
The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Kerala passed a resolution on 7 May authorising the high command to choose the next Chief Minister.
Congress won 63 seats and ally IUML secured 22 seats , giving the UDF a decisive majority.
The LDF was reduced to 26 seats ; the NDA won only 3 seats .
Outgoing CM Pinarayi Vijayan won his Dharmadam seat by 19,247 votes despite his party's statewide defeat.
The Congress high command's CM announcement is expected in the coming days .
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met party president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Friday, 8 May, to share his assessment of the political situation in Kerala and discuss internal developments following the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF)'s decisive assembly election victory.
In a post on X, Tharoor wrote: "Met with @INCIndia President Mallikarjun Kharge to share my impressions of the situation in Kerala and discuss recent political developments involving our party. Always good to share views with the robust, direct and experienced veteran!"
CLP Resolution Hands CM Decision to High Command
The meeting came a day after the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Kerala convened in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, 7 May, and passed a resolution authorising the party high command to decide the next Chief Minister. All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers have since begun consultations with legislators and senior leaders to assess preferences and build consensus on the leadership choice.
The formal handover of the decision to the high command is a standard Congress procedure, but it has done little to slow internal lobbying. Key contenders within the party have stepped up consultations with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to consolidate support, even as the central leadership deliberates.
UDF's Sweeping Mandate — The Numbers
The UDF's victory ended a decade-long dominance of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), with voters delivering a strong anti-incumbency verdict. Congress alone won 63 seats, while ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) secured 22 seats, giving the front a commanding majority. The LDF was reduced to 26 seats, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) managed only 3 seats.
Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan retained his Dharmadam constituency, winning by 19,247 votes with a tally of 85,614 votes against Congress candidate V.P. Abdul Rasheed — a personal win that stood in sharp contrast to his party's statewide rout.
What the Win Means for Kerala's Political Landscape
The verdict marks a significant reshaping of Kerala politics. The LDF had held power for two consecutive terms, and its defeat signals that even a government credited with administrative efficiency can fall victim to voter fatigue. This is the first time since 2011 that the UDF has returned to power after a full decade in opposition.
Notably, the NDA's near-washout also underscores the limits of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s expansion strategy in the state, despite a concerted effort over several election cycles.
What Happens Next
With the UDF set to form the government, the Congress high command's chief ministerial choice is expected in the coming days. The AICC observers' consultations are ongoing, and a final name could emerge as early as next week. Tharoor's meeting with Kharge, coming immediately after the CLP resolution, signals that senior Kerala leaders are actively feeding ground-level intelligence into the high command's deliberations.
Point of View
Access to the party president at this moment is itself a form of political currency. The CLP resolution handing the CM decision to the high command is standard procedure, but it concentrates enormous power in a small circle in New Delhi, raising the familiar question of whether Delhi-centric decision-making will satisfy Kerala's own political arithmetic. The UDF's win is historic, but the real test is whether Congress can translate a landslide into stable governance — something it struggled with during its last stint. With the NDA's near-washout, the BJP's decade-long Kerala project also deserves scrutiny; the party spent significant political capital with little return.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shashi Tharoor meet Mallikarjun Kharge on 8 May?
Tharoor met Kharge to share his on-ground assessment of the political situation in Kerala and discuss internal party developments following the UDF's election victory. The meeting came a day after the Congress Legislative Party in Kerala passed a resolution handing the Chief Minister decision to the high command.
Who will decide Kerala's next Chief Minister?
The Congress Legislative Party passed a resolution on 7 May authorising the party high command — effectively the AICC leadership — to choose the next Chief Minister. AICC observers are currently consulting MLAs and senior leaders to build consensus.
What were the Kerala election results for UDF and LDF?
The UDF won a decisive majority, with Congress securing 63 seats and IUML winning 22 seats. The LDF was reduced to 26 seats, and the NDA won only 3 seats, ending the LDF's decade-long hold on power.
Did Pinarayi Vijayan win his own seat despite the LDF's defeat?
Yes, outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan won the Dharmadam constituency with 85,614 votes, defeating Congress candidate V.P. Abdul Rasheed by 19,247 votes, even as his party suffered a statewide rout.
When is the new Kerala Chief Minister expected to be announced?
The Congress high command's decision is expected in the coming days, with AICC observers actively conducting consultations with legislators and senior leaders to finalise a consensus candidate.
