Kerala CM: Congress Delays Announcement Citing Sonia Gandhi's Hospital Visit

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is currently grappling with a delay in announcing its Chief Minister pick for Kerala, following its decisive victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The elections, which saw polling on April 9, 2026, and results declared on May 4, 2026, marked a significant political shift as the UDF unseated the long-reigning Left Democratic Front (LDF) after a decade in power. The Congress emerged as the single-largest party, securing 63 seats, and the UDF alliance collectively comfortably crossed the majority mark in the 140-member Assembly. As of May 13, 2026, nine days after the election results, the suspense over who will lead the new government continues. The Hindustan Times reported live updates on this ongoing political development, highlighting that no name had yet been finalized for the Chief Minister's post. This delay has been attributed by Congress leaders to the health of former party president Sonia Gandhi. Kerala Congress president Sunny Joseph confirmed on May 13, 2026, that a slight delay in the announcement was possible due to Sonia Gandhi's hospital visit, though he still anticipated the Chief Minister's name to be declared later that day from Delhi. Multiple credible sources corroborated Sonia Gandhi's hospitalization. On May 13, 2026, Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for a routine medical check-up. Reports indicated that she was admitted late on Tuesday night, May 12, and subsequently discharged on Wednesday morning after undergoing some medical procedures. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh confirmed her visit for a 'routine check-up' and stated she was back home. This marked her third hospitalization since January 2026, with previous admissions in March for a systemic infection and in January for respiratory complications. The delay has drawn criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress party of being overwhelmed with "confusion" despite securing a full majority in Kerala, pointing out the nine-day gap since the election results were announced. This sentiment reflects the heightened political tension surrounding the leadership selection. The situation has also seen local expressions of discontent within the Congress cadre. Posters targeting senior party leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as well as General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal, surfaced in Wayanad, indicating internal factionalism and pressure over the CM choice. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally in the UDF, has also stated that it would announce its stance only after the Congress High Command makes its decision. The process of selecting a Chief Minister typically involves extensive consultations and deliberations by the party's high command, especially after a significant electoral victory. The ongoing "final huddle" by Congress leaders, as mentioned in related articles, underscores the complexity of reaching a consensus on such a pivotal decision. The expectation that the announcement would come from Delhi further emphasizes the central leadership's role in this critical appointment, highlighting the centralized decision-making structure within the Congress party. Despite the political maneuvering and the cited delay, the formation of the new government in Kerala under the Congress-led UDF remains a highly anticipated event, signalling a new chapter in the state's political landscape. Overall, the news article accurately captures the real-time political developments in Kerala, grounded in confirmed election results and statements from key political figures. The claims regarding the election outcome, the delay in CM announcement, Sonia Gandhi's hospital visit, and the reactions from other political parties are all corroborated by multiple credible news sources. The headline, far from being sensationalized, accurately reflects the situation as it unfolded on May 13, 2026. The shift in power in Kerala, a state that had seen the LDF in continuous rule for two terms, represents a significant event in Indian politics.

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