May 5, 2026

File photo NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to test the validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, as a bunch of petitions challenged the constitutionality of the new provisions annulling self-perceived gender identity of persons and stripping trans men and trans masculine identities of statutory recognition.Senior advocate A M Singhvi, leading a group of advocates including Shraddha Deshmukh, Jyana Kothari and Arundhati Katju, told a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that the amended clauses directly breach SC’s 2014 judgment in NALSA case giving sanctity to right of self-determination of gender to the trans population.”NALSA judgment, which provided for self-identification and self-determination – is nullified by the legislature without removing its basis, which is impermissible,” Singhvi said.Justice Bagchi said, “Do not take NALSA judgment to that level. NALSA said self-determination is a facet of dignity. What the amendment has done is it changed the substratum of law based on which NALSA interpreted self-identification as part of Article 21. Instead of self-determination, it now provides for medical identification and verification prior to certification.”Singhvi said the overwhelming characteristic is man to woman and if one is undergoing hormone therapy to sync gender identity with the self-determined gender, the law criminalises it and hence would deprive them of that treatment.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta interjected and said, “What is criminalised is forceful change of gender through surgery. There are instances where children have been castrated. The law penalises forcible gender alterations.”The CJI-led bench asked whether there are any benefits or social welfare schemes under the Transgender Act for those classified as transgenders. Singhvi said there are no benefits for them but it allows them to have identity cards which ensures their inclusion in all welfare schemes.SC issued notice to Centre and states and sought their response in six weeks while posting further hearing before a 3-judge bench.PollWhat impact do you think the amendment will have on transgender rights?It will restrict rightsIt may provide some protectionsIt will have no impactFollow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPunjab Showdown: AAP MLAs Head to President Over Rajya Sabha RowIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC Appearance123PhotostoriesIndian billionaire Sudha Reddy stuns at Met Gala 2026 – but it’s her ₹142 crore tanzanite necklace that has everyone talkingElon Musk’s 9 am high-protein breakfast includes these 3 foods5 Met Gala food rules you probably did not knowFrom Garlic to selfies: What items are banned at the MET Gala?Metrics used in India to measure homes and how to convert them easilyStruggling in a 400 sq ft home? These design tricks can make it feel twice as big8 Delhi street food spots you must visit at least once in your lifeBad Bunny to Colman Domingo: Met Gala 2026 best-dressed menBeautiful plants you can grow without soil10 popular and unique baby boy names with letter J123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026West Bengal Election Results 2026NEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
File photo NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to test the validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, as a bunch of petitions challenged the constitutionality of the new provisions annulling self-perceived gender identity of persons and stripping trans men and trans masculine identities of statutory recognition.Senior advocate A M Singhvi, leading a group of advocates including Shraddha Deshmukh, Jyana Kothari and Arundhati Katju, told a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that the amended clauses directly breach SC’s 2014 judgment in NALSA case giving sanctity to right of self-determination of gender to the trans population.”NALSA judgment, which provided for self-identification and self-determination – is nullified by the legislature without removing its basis, which is impermissible,” Singhvi said.Justice Bagchi said, “Do not take NALSA judgment to that level. NALSA said self-determination is a facet of dignity. What the amendment has done is it changed the substratum of law based on which NALSA interpreted self-identification as part of Article 21. Instead of self-determination, it now provides for medical identification and verification prior to certification.”Singhvi said the overwhelming characteristic is man to woman and if one is undergoing hormone therapy to sync gender identity with the self-determined gender, the law criminalises it and hence would deprive them of that treatment.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta interjected and said, “What is criminalised is forceful change of gender through surgery. There are instances where children have been castrated. The law penalises forcible gender alterations.”The CJI-led bench asked whether there are any benefits or social welfare schemes under the Transgender Act for those classified as transgenders. Singhvi said there are no benefits for them but it allows them to have identity cards which ensures their inclusion in all welfare schemes.SC issued notice to Centre and states and sought their response in six weeks while posting further hearing before a 3-judge bench.PollWhat impact do you think the amendment will have on transgender rights?It will restrict rightsIt may provide some protectionsIt will have no impactFollow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPunjab Showdown: AAP MLAs Head to President Over Rajya Sabha RowIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC Appearance123PhotostoriesIndian billionaire Sudha Reddy stuns at Met Gala 2026 – but it’s her ₹142 crore tanzanite necklace that has everyone talkingElon Musk’s 9 am high-protein breakfast includes these 3 foods5 Met Gala food rules you probably did not knowFrom Garlic to selfies: What items are banned at the MET Gala?Metrics used in India to measure homes and how to convert them easilyStruggling in a 400 sq ft home? These design tricks can make it feel twice as big8 Delhi street food spots you must visit at least once in your lifeBad Bunny to Colman Domingo: Met Gala 2026 best-dressed menBeautiful plants you can grow without soil10 popular and unique baby boy names with letter J123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026West Bengal Election Results 2026NEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay


Supreme Court to test validity of scrapping 'self-perceived gender' clause

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to test the validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, as a bunch of petitions challenged the constitutionality of the new provisions annulling self-perceived gender identity of persons and stripping trans men and trans masculine identities of statutory recognition.Senior advocate A M Singhvi, leading a group of advocates including Shraddha Deshmukh, Jyana Kothari and Arundhati Katju, told a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that the amended clauses directly breach SC’s 2014 judgment in NALSA case giving sanctity to right of self-determination of gender to the trans population.“NALSA judgment, which provided for self-identification and self-determination – is nullified by the legislature without removing its basis, which is impermissible,” Singhvi said.Justice Bagchi said, “Do not take NALSA judgment to that level. NALSA said self-determination is a facet of dignity. What the amendment has done is it changed the substratum of law based on which NALSA interpreted self-identification as part of Article 21. Instead of self-determination, it now provides for medical identification and verification prior to certification.”Singhvi said the overwhelming characteristic is man to woman and if one is undergoing hormone therapy to sync gender identity with the self-determined gender, the law criminalises it and hence would deprive them of that treatment.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta interjected and said, “What is criminalised is forceful change of gender through surgery. There are instances where children have been castrated. The law penalises forcible gender alterations.”The CJI-led bench asked whether there are any benefits or social welfare schemes under the Transgender Act for those classified as transgenders. Singhvi said there are no benefits for them but it allows them to have identity cards which ensures their inclusion in all welfare schemes.SC issued notice to Centre and states and sought their response in six weeks while posting further hearing before a 3-judge bench.

Poll

What impact do you think the amendment will have on transgender rights?



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

Supreme Court (File Image) NEW DELHI: Castigating Orissa high court and judiciary for imposing “clean police station bail conditions” on tribal and Dalit villagers arrested in cases of violent protest against Vedanta’s bauxite mining in Rayagada and Kalahandi, Supreme Court Monday quashed these conditions, terming them “abhorrent, cruel, degrading and unknown to law”.The HC, while granting bail to Laxman Naik, had said, “He shall clean the premises of Kashipur police station in the morning hour (between 6 am to 9 am) for two months from the date of his actual release…”. The police station’s in-charge will “provide cleaning articles like broom, phenyl and other items to the petitioner so that he can clean the said premises”, it said.Taking suo motu cognizance of news reports about Odisha courts imposing the “clean police station every day between 6 am and 9 am bail conditions” while releasing the arrested tribals and Dalits, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said such orders negate the apex court’s 75-year-long efforts to zealously guard life, liberty, dignity and equality of every citizen.The bench said, “We are deeply disappointed and express our strongest disapproval of the manner in which the Odisha state judiciary has in fact regressed its mindset by imposing such onerous, degrading and humiliating conditions which are ex-facie violative of human rights.”Such conditions far from advancing the cause of justice strike at the dignity of the accused and proceed on the premise of their guilt, which is totally impermissible in law, it said. “We accordingly declare as null and void all such conditions or similar conditions imposed by the state judiciary while granting bail,” the bench said and directed all Odisha courts to forthwith delete such bail conditions.The bench said that assuming such conditions were imposed inadvertently and without any pre-meditated bias, “the nature of the bail condition is so abhorrent, cruel, degrading and unknown to law that it carries the potential to cast a serious aspersion suggesting that Odisha judiciary is afflicted with caste-based bias. Such conditions are never imposed on accused from privileged class of society, it said.Cautioning all trial courts and HCs across the country never to impose such conditions while granting bail, the bench quashed the objectionable bail conditions imposed on the tribal and Dalit villagers in Odisha and said appropriate substitution of the conditions would be made without interfering with their liberty.Odisha advocate general Pitambar Acharyasaid the prosecution will take steps to facilitate alteration of bail conditions.SC asked HC’s registrar general to file a compliance report within four weeks.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPunjab Showdown: AAP MLAs Head to President Over Rajya Sabha RowIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC Appearance123Photostories5 Met Gala food rules you probably did not knowMetrics used in India to measure homes and how to convert them easilyStruggling in a 400 sq ft home? These design tricks can make it feel twice as big8 Delhi street food spots you must visit at least once in your lifeBad Bunny to Colman Domingo: Met Gala 2026 best-dressed menBeautiful plants you can grow without soil10 popular and unique baby boy names with letter JKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every day123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026West Bengal Election Results 2026NEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Supreme Court (File Image) NEW DELHI: Castigating Orissa high court and judiciary for imposing “clean police station bail conditions” on tribal and Dalit villagers arrested in cases of violent protest against Vedanta’s bauxite mining in Rayagada and Kalahandi, Supreme Court Monday quashed these conditions, terming them “abhorrent, cruel, degrading and unknown to law”.The HC, while granting bail to Laxman Naik, had said, “He shall clean the premises of Kashipur police station in the morning hour (between 6 am to 9 am) for two months from the date of his actual release…”. The police station’s in-charge will “provide cleaning articles like broom, phenyl and other items to the petitioner so that he can clean the said premises”, it said.Taking suo motu cognizance of news reports about Odisha courts imposing the “clean police station every day between 6 am and 9 am bail conditions” while releasing the arrested tribals and Dalits, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said such orders negate the apex court’s 75-year-long efforts to zealously guard life, liberty, dignity and equality of every citizen.The bench said, “We are deeply disappointed and express our strongest disapproval of the manner in which the Odisha state judiciary has in fact regressed its mindset by imposing such onerous, degrading and humiliating conditions which are ex-facie violative of human rights.”Such conditions far from advancing the cause of justice strike at the dignity of the accused and proceed on the premise of their guilt, which is totally impermissible in law, it said. “We accordingly declare as null and void all such conditions or similar conditions imposed by the state judiciary while granting bail,” the bench said and directed all Odisha courts to forthwith delete such bail conditions.The bench said that assuming such conditions were imposed inadvertently and without any pre-meditated bias, “the nature of the bail condition is so abhorrent, cruel, degrading and unknown to law that it carries the potential to cast a serious aspersion suggesting that Odisha judiciary is afflicted with caste-based bias. Such conditions are never imposed on accused from privileged class of society, it said.Cautioning all trial courts and HCs across the country never to impose such conditions while granting bail, the bench quashed the objectionable bail conditions imposed on the tribal and Dalit villagers in Odisha and said appropriate substitution of the conditions would be made without interfering with their liberty.Odisha advocate general Pitambar Acharyasaid the prosecution will take steps to facilitate alteration of bail conditions.SC asked HC’s registrar general to file a compliance report within four weeks.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPunjab Showdown: AAP MLAs Head to President Over Rajya Sabha RowIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC Appearance123Photostories5 Met Gala food rules you probably did not knowMetrics used in India to measure homes and how to convert them easilyStruggling in a 400 sq ft home? These design tricks can make it feel twice as big8 Delhi street food spots you must visit at least once in your lifeBad Bunny to Colman Domingo: Met Gala 2026 best-dressed menBeautiful plants you can grow without soil10 popular and unique baby boy names with letter JKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every day123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026West Bengal Election Results 2026NEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Vamsikrishna 0
. Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress in Kerala is entering a crucial phase following the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) sweeping victory in the Assembly elections, with the party now tasked with choosing its chief ministerial candidate amid competing claims from senior functionaries.The tussle surfaced even before results, with senior Congress figures openly debating the chief minister’s post after polling, confident of a UDF return. The situation intensified enough for the AICC to step in to contain infighting. Three contenders—K. C. Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala, and V. D. Satheesan—have emerged as frontrunners. Watch Shashi Tharoor Calls for Policy Reset and Economic Revival, Kerala Poll verdict 2026Satheesan has gained momentum following the emphatic win, having predicted a 100seat sweep and defeats of several LDF ministers—claims that largely materialised. Party insiders credit his leadership, campaign strategy, and grassroots mobilisation, with several UDF allies backing him.Party insiders credit Satheesan’s leadership, campaign strategy, and candidate selection for the UDF’s decisive win. His ability to mobilise grassroots workers and secure strong backing from coalition partners has further strengthened his position. Several UDF constituents have already indicated their support for him as the natural choice for CM.Chennithala remains a strong contender, citing his long tenure as leader of opposition from 2016 to 2021 and his active role during the campaign. At the same time, Venugopal, a senior AICC functionary, continues to command support from a section of leaders within the state unit.With the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting expected soon, the focus is on whether the party reachesconsensus or faces a divided mandate, with AICC likely to play a key role again.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorRajiv GRajiv G is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India, bringing over two decades of journalistic experience and editorial expertise to the newsroom. He began his journey in 1998 with The Indian Express in Coimbatore before moving on to Deccan Chronicle in Hyderabad and later The New Indian Express in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and later in Kerala where he spent a decade covering some of the most defining stories. Since joining The Times of India in 2011, Rajiv has been at the forefront of reporting on Kerala’s health and political landscape. His sustained coverage of the health sector since 2005 has contributed to public awareness and policy discourse, while his political reporting since 2008 has provided readers with sharp, well-informed perspectives. His work has been widely recognized, earning him honors from the Indian Medical Association, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association, and the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association. He was also conferred the *Best Reporter Award* by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, where he has held leadership roles as Secretary and President.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPunjab Showdown: AAP MLAs Head to President Over Rajya Sabha RowIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC Appearance123PhotostoriesThe simple breathing habit Sri Sri Ravi Shankar suggests to reduce stress instantlyHantavirus: As WHO shares the symptoms of the infected patients, Delhi NCR doctor reveals how a mild fever can become a life-threatening lung emergencySoaked raisins health benefits: Why eating soaked kishmish daily supports digestion, heart health, and natural energyPrasidh Krishna’s Bengaluru Home: A look at the cricketer’s stylish private retreatIndian billionaire Sudha Reddy stuns at Met Gala 2026 – but it’s her ₹142 crore tanzanite necklace that has everyone talkingElon Musk’s 9 am high-protein breakfast includes these 3 foods5 Met Gala food rules you probably did not knowFrom Garlic to selfies: What items are banned at the MET Gala?Metrics used in India to measure homes and how to convert them easilyStruggling in a 400 sq ft home? These design tricks can make it feel twice as big123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026West Bengal Election Results 2026NEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

. Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress in Kerala is entering a crucial phase following the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) sweeping victory in the Assembly elections, with the party now tasked with choosing its chief ministerial candidate amid competing claims from senior functionaries.The tussle surfaced even before results, with senior Congress figures openly debating the chief minister’s post after polling, confident of a UDF return. The situation intensified enough for the AICC to step in to contain infighting. Three contenders—K. C. Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala, and V. D. Satheesan—have emerged as frontrunners. Watch Shashi Tharoor Calls for Policy Reset and Economic Revival, Kerala Poll verdict 2026Satheesan has gained momentum following the emphatic win, having predicted a 100seat sweep and defeats of several LDF ministers—claims that largely materialised. Party insiders credit his leadership, campaign strategy, and grassroots mobilisation, with several UDF allies backing him.Party insiders credit Satheesan’s leadership, campaign strategy, and candidate selection for the UDF’s decisive win. His ability to mobilise grassroots workers and secure strong backing from coalition partners has further strengthened his position. Several UDF constituents have already indicated their support for him as the natural choice for CM.Chennithala remains a strong contender, citing his long tenure as leader of opposition from 2016 to 2021 and his active role during the campaign. At the same time, Venugopal, a senior AICC functionary, continues to command support from a section of leaders within the state unit.With the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting expected soon, the focus is on whether the party reachesconsensus or faces a divided mandate, with AICC likely to play a key role again.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorRajiv GRajiv G is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India, bringing over two decades of journalistic experience and editorial expertise to the newsroom. He began his journey in 1998 with The Indian Express in Coimbatore before moving on to Deccan Chronicle in Hyderabad and later The New Indian Express in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and later in Kerala where he spent a decade covering some of the most defining stories. Since joining The Times of India in 2011, Rajiv has been at the forefront of reporting on Kerala’s health and political landscape. His sustained coverage of the health sector since 2005 has contributed to public awareness and policy discourse, while his political reporting since 2008 has provided readers with sharp, well-informed perspectives. His work has been widely recognized, earning him honors from the Indian Medical Association, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association, and the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association. He was also conferred the *Best Reporter Award* by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, where he has held leadership roles as Secretary and President.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPunjab Showdown: AAP MLAs Head to President Over Rajya Sabha RowIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC Appearance123PhotostoriesThe simple breathing habit Sri Sri Ravi Shankar suggests to reduce stress instantlyHantavirus: As WHO shares the symptoms of the infected patients, Delhi NCR doctor reveals how a mild fever can become a life-threatening lung emergencySoaked raisins health benefits: Why eating soaked kishmish daily supports digestion, heart health, and natural energyPrasidh Krishna’s Bengaluru Home: A look at the cricketer’s stylish private retreatIndian billionaire Sudha Reddy stuns at Met Gala 2026 – but it’s her ₹142 crore tanzanite necklace that has everyone talkingElon Musk’s 9 am high-protein breakfast includes these 3 foods5 Met Gala food rules you probably did not knowFrom Garlic to selfies: What items are banned at the MET Gala?Metrics used in India to measure homes and how to convert them easilyStruggling in a 400 sq ft home? These design tricks can make it feel twice as big123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026West Bengal Election Results 2026NEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Vamsikrishna 0