Congress to name new Kerala chief next week

Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 (IANS) Senior leaders from the Congress in Kerala have been summoned to Delhi to meet party President Rahul Gandhi next week to decide the new state chief.

A top Congress leader told IANS that they will meet Gandhi on June 6 and 7.

Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, present party President M.M. Hassan, among others, are expected to meet the Congress President.

The meeting assumes significance after the massive election debacle that the party suffered in the Chengannur bye-election, which the CPI-M candidate won.

Among the front runners for the post of the state President are Lok Sabha member Mullapally Ramachandran, former state Minister and previous Lok Sabha member from Kannur, K.Sudhakaran, present Lok Sabha members K.V. Thomas and Kodikunnil Suresh.

Another post likely to be discussed is of the United Democratic Front Convenor which is presently held by Congress leader P.P. Thankachen.