India, May 18 -- Soon after VD Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala's 13th chief minister, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted a message on X that ran to about six sentences, and mentioned two people by name.

"Warm congratulations to VD Satheesan ji and the entire cabinet, who will now represent the voice of every Keralite," Gandhi wrote. "Thanks to KC Venugopal ji, who led this campaign from the frontlines," he added. Satheesan got compliments. Venugopal got gratitude. The photo collage in the post had Rahul hugging both, and others.

The express mentions were not incidental, though.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front won 102 of Kerala's 140 assembly seats in the April 9 election, results for which came on May 4. The Congress alone w...