India, May 15 -- In his 25-year-long career as a Kerala lawmaker, Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan had never been considered even for a ministerial berth. But now, the 61-year-old is set to take oath as the next chief minister of the southern state, overcoming a stiff challenge from Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal.

Venugopal, widely considered a confidant of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had the "overwhelming support" of many party legislators, parliamentarians and senior leaders. When Congress observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken met the 63 Congress lawmakers on May 7, "there was an overwhelming support for Venugopal," said a senior party leader.

Days later, when Rahul Gandhi consulted...