May 15, 2026

NEW DELHI: Delhi HC on Thursday sought the Centre and Delhi govt’s stand on a plea by Indian National Congress seeking execution of a sale deed in the party’s favour for its former headquarters at 7, Jantar Mantar Road.Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued notice to authorities but refused to pass any interim order. Even as senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for AICC, urged HC to ensure the premises was not allotted to anyone else, the court said it would first examine whether the plea was maintainable.Justice Kaurav said the petitioner must satisfy maintainability before seeking interim relief. “See what govt’s response is. You perhaps have to file a civil suit. This seems to be to wriggle out of limitation,” the judge said.Singhvi argued INC was an allottee that possessed the property for decades. “I have been asking for execution of a conveyance deed repeatedly. There is no denial. There is no response. I have been in possession for 70 years. I have all documents and payments. They should not allot it to somebody else,” he told HC.Congress said it has possessed part of the property since Feb 1946, with allotment made in 1956. It paid Rs 6.1 lakh in 1959 towards sale consideration. Since 2017, it made representations to Delhi govt — responsible for managing the property — seeking execution of the sale deed, but to no avail, the plea contended.About the AuthorAbhinav GargAs legal editor for Delhi, Abhinav Garg handles coverage of courts and connected legal challenges shaping the capital. From breaking down complex law related jargon to simplifying how a particular verdict or development in courts may impact the readers, Abhinav brings with him over two decades of experience in the field.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
NEW DELHI: Delhi HC on Thursday sought the Centre and Delhi govt’s stand on a plea by Indian National Congress seeking execution of a sale deed in the party’s favour for its former headquarters at 7, Jantar Mantar Road.Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued notice to authorities but refused to pass any interim order. Even as senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for AICC, urged HC to ensure the premises was not allotted to anyone else, the court said it would first examine whether the plea was maintainable.Justice Kaurav said the petitioner must satisfy maintainability before seeking interim relief. “See what govt’s response is. You perhaps have to file a civil suit. This seems to be to wriggle out of limitation,” the judge said.Singhvi argued INC was an allottee that possessed the property for decades. “I have been asking for execution of a conveyance deed repeatedly. There is no denial. There is no response. I have been in possession for 70 years. I have all documents and payments. They should not allot it to somebody else,” he told HC.Congress said it has possessed part of the property since Feb 1946, with allotment made in 1956. It paid Rs 6.1 lakh in 1959 towards sale consideration. Since 2017, it made representations to Delhi govt — responsible for managing the property — seeking execution of the sale deed, but to no avail, the plea contended.About the AuthorAbhinav GargAs legal editor for Delhi, Abhinav Garg handles coverage of courts and connected legal challenges shaping the capital. From breaking down complex law related jargon to simplifying how a particular verdict or development in courts may impact the readers, Abhinav brings with him over two decades of experience in the field.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav


HC seeks govt stand on Cong’s 7, Jantar Mantar Road plea

NEW DELHI: Delhi HC on Thursday sought the Centre and Delhi govt’s stand on a plea by Indian National Congress seeking execution of a sale deed in the party’s favour for its former headquarters at 7, Jantar Mantar Road.Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued notice to authorities but refused to pass any interim order. Even as senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for AICC, urged HC to ensure the premises was not allotted to anyone else, the court said it would first examine whether the plea was maintainable.Justice Kaurav said the petitioner must satisfy maintainability before seeking interim relief. “See what govt’s response is. You perhaps have to file a civil suit. This seems to be to wriggle out of limitation,” the judge said.Singhvi argued INC was an allottee that possessed the property for decades. “I have been asking for execution of a conveyance deed repeatedly. There is no denial. There is no response. I have been in possession for 70 years. I have all documents and payments. They should not allot it to somebody else,” he told HC.Congress said it has possessed part of the property since Feb 1946, with allotment made in 1956. It paid Rs 6.1 lakh in 1959 towards sale consideration. Since 2017, it made representations to Delhi govt — responsible for managing the property — seeking execution of the sale deed, but to no avail, the plea contended.



Source link

Leave a Reply

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

Related News

NEW DELHI: BJP Thursday questioned the source of funds for Rahul Gandhi’s 54 trips abroad over last 22 years, claiming a “big mismatch” between expenditure the LoP is likely to have incurred and his income over past decade, as declared in documents he had submitted for contesting LS polls.BJP said it has done a “bottom-up estimation” to arrive at the sum of Rs 60 crore that Rahul and people accompanying him would have spent during his visits to different parts of the world, including US, Latin America, Europe and countries in Asia all these years. In contrast, his income was only Rs 11 crore over last decade, it added. “This raises legal questions. Under FCRA provisions, any MP, judge or govt official is required to take permission from MHA if their visits are hosted or funded by a foreign agency,” party spokesperson Sambit Patra said. “If one is going on a foreign tour at personal expense, then he has to disclose it in I-T return. If a person receives a gift or money is spent on him in an undisclosed manner abroad, then in that situation Black Money Act 2015 may also apply,” he added, asking Congress to disclose the source of funding for Rahul’s visits and relevant documents. “This is not a rhetorical press conference but one that raises questions on the conduct of LoP who wants to be PM. Everything will have to be accounted for,” Patra said.Hitting back, Congress said BJP’s allegations over Rahul’s foreign trips are aimed at diverting attention from real issues facing the country. Party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said, “These are diversions being created by BJP. The real issue is the economic collapse that is staring the country. The real issues are the setbacks in foreign policy.”Another neta, Manickam Tagore, said, “BJP should answer questions on unemployment, inflation, border failures and weakening economy instead of running a smear campaign against Rahul.” End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

NEW DELHI: BJP Thursday questioned the source of funds for Rahul Gandhi’s 54 trips abroad over last 22 years, claiming a “big mismatch” between expenditure the LoP is likely to have incurred and his income over past decade, as declared in documents he had submitted for contesting LS polls.BJP said it has done a “bottom-up estimation” to arrive at the sum of Rs 60 crore that Rahul and people accompanying him would have spent during his visits to different parts of the world, including US, Latin America, Europe and countries in Asia all these years. In contrast, his income was only Rs 11 crore over last decade, it added. “This raises legal questions. Under FCRA provisions, any MP, judge or govt official is required to take permission from MHA if their visits are hosted or funded by a foreign agency,” party spokesperson Sambit Patra said. “If one is going on a foreign tour at personal expense, then he has to disclose it in I-T return. If a person receives a gift or money is spent on him in an undisclosed manner abroad, then in that situation Black Money Act 2015 may also apply,” he added, asking Congress to disclose the source of funding for Rahul’s visits and relevant documents. “This is not a rhetorical press conference but one that raises questions on the conduct of LoP who wants to be PM. Everything will have to be accounted for,” Patra said.Hitting back, Congress said BJP’s allegations over Rahul’s foreign trips are aimed at diverting attention from real issues facing the country. Party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said, “These are diversions being created by BJP. The real issue is the economic collapse that is staring the country. The real issues are the setbacks in foreign policy.”Another neta, Manickam Tagore, said, “BJP should answer questions on unemployment, inflation, border failures and weakening economy instead of running a smear campaign against Rahul.” End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

Vamsikrishna 0
NEW DELHI: Hours after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in an advocate’s attire before Calcutta high court on Thursday, the Bar Council of India (BCI) asked the West Bengal Bar Council to furnish details of her enrolment as an advocate, whether the licence to practise was kept suspended during her tenure as CM, and the date of its revival.Writing to Bar Council of West Bengal, BCI principal secretary Srimanto Sen said the details are necessary to determine whether Banerjee is entitled to wear advocate’s attire immediately after ceasing to hold public office, which she held from 2011 to 2026.The BCI sought certified copies of original records relating to Banerjee from State Advocate’s Roll, enrolment register, certificate of practice records, inward/receipt registers, suspension or cessation of practice records, resumption records and any related file noting or orders.Asking WB Bar Council to preserve the original records, the BCI said the required information must reach it within two days.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

NEW DELHI: Hours after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in an advocate’s attire before Calcutta high court on Thursday, the Bar Council of India (BCI) asked the West Bengal Bar Council to furnish details of her enrolment as an advocate, whether the licence to practise was kept suspended during her tenure as CM, and the date of its revival.Writing to Bar Council of West Bengal, BCI principal secretary Srimanto Sen said the details are necessary to determine whether Banerjee is entitled to wear advocate’s attire immediately after ceasing to hold public office, which she held from 2011 to 2026.The BCI sought certified copies of original records relating to Banerjee from State Advocate’s Roll, enrolment register, certificate of practice records, inward/receipt registers, suspension or cessation of practice records, resumption records and any related file noting or orders.Asking WB Bar Council to preserve the original records, the BCI said the required information must reach it within two days.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

Vamsikrishna 0
VD Satheesan (Image/PTI) New Delhi: After Rahul Gandhi met former KPCC chiefs and senior leaders on Tuesday afternoon, one crucial cog of the party alumni saw him late at 10pm at 10, Janpath. A known voice in favour of V D Satheesan, V M Sudheeran was the last man the Gandhi scion is learnt to have heard as part of enlarged consultations to arrive at the CM pick.Also read: Who is VD Satheesan? Kerala’s new CM & grassroots Congress leader who led the UDF’s comebackHours later on Wednesday, Sudheeran publicly stressed the need to decide the CM in sync with “public sentiments”. A few hours further down, Rahul held his final consultation with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge where the decision was finalised, though kept under wraps.In the final lap, sources said, K C Venugopal lost out. The Kharge-Rahul chat eliminated the powerful AICC manager and Rahul confidant. And barely had any time passed that he too was said to have realised the disappointing turn of events – the first but fatal blow since Venugopal entered the race after maximum MLAs backed him in front of AICC observers on May 7.But his elimination hadn’t necessarily sealed the deal that could be conveyed down the ranks. Here, Ramesh Chennithala, who was always the “compromise” pole of the three-way race, remained a possibility. All eyes were on Thursday morning when the decision was to be made public.At 10am, Rahul called Venugopal for a chat at his Sunehri Bagh residence, and they were closeted for over one hour, which included Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. There, the confidant was apparently told about the “decision making process” – a shorthand for factors that had resulted in picking Satheesan ahead of him.The deal, however, was still limited to the charmed circle. Even party managers who were to go to Kerala did not know if it was going to be Satheesan or Chennithala.A half an hour later, Kharge called a meeting of AICC state in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and state observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik. There, the final plan was unveiled and passed for public dissemination.Venugopal was out. But it was a straight leap at the generational makeover of the state leadership. There would be no midway, “compromise” candidate in Chennithala. Calls apparently went out to mollify the veteran.A news conference was scheduled for half an hour later, at 12pm. And there, Maken, Dasmunshi, Wasnik and Jairam Ramesh announced it was Satheesan.”Public sentiment” became the battle cry of the pro-Satheesan brigade of partisans and commoners as the lobbying for CMship played out in the streets and on social media over nine days. The same argument was made by allies IUML, RSP and Kerala Congress, who questioned the sole reliance on support of MLAs. Rahul and Priyanka were flooded with emails, with even references to the latter’s LS seat of Wayanad that has a robust IUML votebase. The all-round momentum for Satheesan could not be ignored.And when Rahul, instead of closing the consultations, decided to pick the minds of more state colleagues, Satheesan was clearly in serious reckoning. The push from Sudheeran, K Muraleedharan, and, by some insider accounts, veteran AK Antony and Priyanka, turned the tide.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

VD Satheesan (Image/PTI) New Delhi: After Rahul Gandhi met former KPCC chiefs and senior leaders on Tuesday afternoon, one crucial cog of the party alumni saw him late at 10pm at 10, Janpath. A known voice in favour of V D Satheesan, V M Sudheeran was the last man the Gandhi scion is learnt to have heard as part of enlarged consultations to arrive at the CM pick.Also read: Who is VD Satheesan? Kerala’s new CM & grassroots Congress leader who led the UDF’s comebackHours later on Wednesday, Sudheeran publicly stressed the need to decide the CM in sync with “public sentiments”. A few hours further down, Rahul held his final consultation with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge where the decision was finalised, though kept under wraps.In the final lap, sources said, K C Venugopal lost out. The Kharge-Rahul chat eliminated the powerful AICC manager and Rahul confidant. And barely had any time passed that he too was said to have realised the disappointing turn of events – the first but fatal blow since Venugopal entered the race after maximum MLAs backed him in front of AICC observers on May 7.But his elimination hadn’t necessarily sealed the deal that could be conveyed down the ranks. Here, Ramesh Chennithala, who was always the “compromise” pole of the three-way race, remained a possibility. All eyes were on Thursday morning when the decision was to be made public.At 10am, Rahul called Venugopal for a chat at his Sunehri Bagh residence, and they were closeted for over one hour, which included Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. There, the confidant was apparently told about the “decision making process” – a shorthand for factors that had resulted in picking Satheesan ahead of him.The deal, however, was still limited to the charmed circle. Even party managers who were to go to Kerala did not know if it was going to be Satheesan or Chennithala.A half an hour later, Kharge called a meeting of AICC state in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and state observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik. There, the final plan was unveiled and passed for public dissemination.Venugopal was out. But it was a straight leap at the generational makeover of the state leadership. There would be no midway, “compromise” candidate in Chennithala. Calls apparently went out to mollify the veteran.A news conference was scheduled for half an hour later, at 12pm. And there, Maken, Dasmunshi, Wasnik and Jairam Ramesh announced it was Satheesan.”Public sentiment” became the battle cry of the pro-Satheesan brigade of partisans and commoners as the lobbying for CMship played out in the streets and on social media over nine days. The same argument was made by allies IUML, RSP and Kerala Congress, who questioned the sole reliance on support of MLAs. Rahul and Priyanka were flooded with emails, with even references to the latter’s LS seat of Wayanad that has a robust IUML votebase. The all-round momentum for Satheesan could not be ignored.And when Rahul, instead of closing the consultations, decided to pick the minds of more state colleagues, Satheesan was clearly in serious reckoning. The push from Sudheeran, K Muraleedharan, and, by some insider accounts, veteran AK Antony and Priyanka, turned the tide.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Judge Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against Kejriwal; Refers Case To New Bench2 Days WFH To ‘No Vehicle Day’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Fuel-Saving Steps After PM Modi’s CallCong Picks VD Satheesan As Kerala CM; Iran FM Lands In India For Brics Meet With ‘Minab168’ MsgSupreme Court Questions CEC Appointment Process, Raises ‘Independence’ ConcernsMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership Battle123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria looks straight out of a 1950s Hollywood dream at Cannes in this vintage Vivienne Westwood coutureHappy Birthday Vicky Kaushal: With Katrina Kaif, Sunny Kaushal and family, inside the actor’s most heartwarming momentsMilk Price Hike: Popular packaged milk prices rise across India; healthy milk alternatives to add to daily dietTop 10 fascinating facts about rhinos that make them unlike any other wild animal5 animals with giant tusks and horns that make them look prehistoricHow these 5 Indian ice creams became among the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the WorldRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

Vamsikrishna 0