Rahul Gandhi holds key discussions with Congress leaders in Kerala, including former state unit chiefs, working presidents and other senior figures, to determine the party’s next chief ministerial candidate. Reports from both outlets say that after these meetings, KC Venugopal emerges as the preferred choice among most leaders present. News18 India states that several party leaders back Venugopal as the next CM, indicating he has majority support following Rahul’s consultations. Hindustan Times similarly reports that Venugopal surges ahead in the race, citing support levels from leaders participating in the meeting and stating that most state Congress leaders back him for the role. The coverage aligns on the central point that internal deliberations within the Congress after Rahul Gandhi’s meet lead to a clear preference for Venugopal as the likely next chief ministerial face, though the final decision remains with the party’s leadership.