KC Venugopal, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, is in the running to become the next Chief Minister of Kerala. As the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) General Secretary (Organisation), Venugopal has played a crucial role in the party's recent successes, including securing 99 Lok Sabha seats in the general elections.
Venugopal, a 63-year-old politician from Kerala, has had a long and distinguished career in politics, serving as a minister in the state and later moving to the national level. He has been a key figure in the Congress party, holding various positions, including junior minister in the UPA-2 government and a member of the Rajya Sabha.
As a General Secretary of the AICC, Venugopal has been responsible for candidate selection, party discipline, membership drives, and alliance management. He has also played a significant role in the 2026 Kerala campaign, helping to bring disgruntled CPI(M) leaders into the Congress-led UDF fold.
Venugopal has been a consistent supporter of Rahul Gandhi, filing adjournment motions in the Lok Sabha on several occasions to raise important issues, including the NEET paper leak and the government's Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026.
With the deadline for government formation in Kerala set for May 23, Venugopal's chances of becoming the next Chief Minister are looking strong. He has the backing of several Congress MLAs and has been endorsed by Rahul Gandhi, who has secured the support of seven out of 10 senior Kerala leaders.
While rival VD Satheesan has also been considered for the post, Venugopal's experience and connections within the party make him a strong contender for the top job.
