Satheesan holds crucial talks with Venugopal amid cabinet formation

T'puram: Chief minister-designate V D Satheesan on Saturday held crucial discussions with K C Venugopal amid hectic negotiations over the formation of the new cabinet and efforts by the Congress brass to project unity after an intense tussle for the CM post.The meeting, held at Venugopal's residence, marked the first interaction between the two functionaries after the Congress high command announced Satheesan as the chief minister. Venugopal reached the capital from New Delhi on Friday evening. Before meeting Venugopal, Satheesan held talks with Congress veteran Ramesh Chennithala at his residence in Vazhuthacaud. Since being named CM, Satheesan has been reaching out to senior functionaries in an apparent attempt to ensure internal cohesion and ease tensions over cabinet formation. Political observers closely watched the Satheesan-Venugopal meeting, as the two emerged as strong contenders for the chief minister's post during deliberations within the Congress Legislature Party and the party high command. The contest intensified after Venugopal reportedly staked a claim based on the support he enjoyed among MLAs, a claim that Satheesan dismissed as inflated and inaccurate before the high command. Sources said Venugopal came close to securing the top post before the balance shifted in Satheesan's favour following consultations held by Rahul Gandhi with senior party functionaries from the state in New Delhi. Seeking to downplay speculation of factional differences, Satheesan told reporters after the meeting that there were no major disagreements between him and Venugopal. "Even if there are differences of opinion, they can be resolved if we sit together for 15 minutes," he said. Venugopal, meanwhile, reiterated his loyalty to the Congress brass and stressed that all functionaries would stand united behind the high command's decision. "I'm a true Congress worker. Once the party has taken a decision, everyone will stand united behind it," he said. Later in the day, Venugopal met Chennithala, signalling renewed efforts by the brass to accommodate senior functionaries in the evolving power-sharing arrangement. In remarks seen as politically significant, Venugopal hinted that Chennithala's expectations regarding the new govt would be addressed by the party brass. "What Chennithala wants will happen. Everything will become clear once the high command announces its final decision," Venugopal said after the meeting. He added that the Congress brass would take decisions that satisfy all sections within the party. Emphasising unity within the organisation, Venugopal said both he and Chennithala remained fully committed to the party's collective decisions. "Nothing beyond the party's collective decision is going to happen. Even if you cut us open, we are Congress workers," he said. Chennithala too echoed a conciliatory tone, stating that he would continue to function according to the party's directions. Venugopal added that the senior Congress brass in Kerala shared a long-standing political relationship and remained united despite internal competition over party positions and cabinet negotiations.