Following the United Democratic Front's (UDF) decisive victory in the Kerala Assembly elections, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph confirmed that the final decision on the next Chief Minister rests with the party High Command in Delhi.

The UDF won 102 seats in the 140-member assembly, ending a decade of LDF governance led by Pinarayi Vijayan.

Speaking to ANI, Joseph stated: “It will take its own time. The high command will announce at an appropriate time… There are no barriers at all, everything is solved… It is up to the high command.” His comments come amid ongoing discussions within Congress about the leadership in Kerala.

Earlier on Saturday, Congress leader Deepa Dasmunshi said that senior party leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, held detailed discussions regarding the situation in Kerala after recent incidents involving party workers. Speaking after the Kerala Congress meeting in Delhi, Dasmunshi said the leadership held extended deliberations from 4 pm onwards, with multiple leaders speaking individually to Kharge and Gandhi to seek guidance from the central leadership.

Dasmunshi noted that although the party secured a “landslide majority” in Kerala, “overenthusiastic workers” had been involved in “unruly incidents” in the last two to three days, which she said do not reflect the party’s culture.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader PJ Kurien said the party was capable of managing any political situation, including by-elections, amid discussions over leadership and cabinet formation. Speaking in Pathanamthitta, Kurien added: “Congress has the strength to face not just one, but any number of by-elections. Opinions of elected representatives reflect public opinion.” He made these remarks in response to questions about the choice for Chief Minister.