Thiruvananthapuram, 6 May

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, a CM hopeful, on Wednesday said that social media campaigns and putting up of flexboards will not be the deciding factors for selecting the chief minister of Kerala.

Chennithala remarked in response to reporters' queries in Delhi on the intense social media campaign in favour of VD Satheesan as CM on the grounds that he led the UDF poll campaign from the front.

"Who should be CM is not decided based on social media campaigns or the flexboards put up by the supporters. It is decided by the high command in accordance with the procedure already in place.

"As part of that, two-party observers will reach Kerala by evening, and they will speak to all the MLAs. After that, the party high command will take a decision," the senior Congress leader said.

He said that the high command will make the decision based on party interests, and everyone will accept it.

Chennithala also rejected queries about whether the alleged contest within the party for the CM post will create any displeasure among the voters.

"There will be no displeasure among voters as there is no contest," he contended.

On whether there was a delay in announcing the CM for Kerala, Chennithala said that the Chief Minister has not been selected in the other state where polls were held.

"So, can it be said that there is a delay in the case of Kerala?" he asked.

He said that he was in Delhi for a meeting with Rahul Gandhi regarding the finalisation of the DCC presidents in Maharashtra.