Congress move reflects mandate: Thangal

Kozhikode: IUML state president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal said on Thursday that the Congress high command's decision to announce V D Satheesan as the chief minister reflects the mandate given by the people of Kerala in the assembly elections.Addressing reporters after Satheesan's name was officially announced by All India Congress Committee (AICC), Thangal welcomed the decision and extended his wishes to the Congress leader. He said the final decision on the chief ministerial candidate rested with the Congress high command and said that IUML fully accepted the party's choice."As I had stated earlier, the decision of the Congress high command is what matters the most. Now that the high command has announced its decision, we, along with the people of Kerala, accept it wholeheartedly," said Thangal.He added that AICC had explored all democratic avenues before taking the decision. Thangal said that Congress leadership held extensive discussions with MLAs, MPs and other stakeholders in a democratic manner. " AICC sought the opinion of coalition partners several times during this process. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge even contacted us today and we conveyed our stand clearly," he said.Thangal said that the public mandate given by the people in the election was taken by the Congress high command into consideration while deciding on the chief minister. He said the party would announce its ministerial nominees after discussions are held within UDF in the near future.IUML registered an impressive performance in the recently-held assembly elections, securing its highest-ever tally of 22 seats. The party surpassed its previous best of 20 seats in 2011. During the previous regime headed by Oommen Chandy, the party had held five cabinet berths.