Thiruvananthapuram, Sunday, May 15, 2011: Kerala’s newly elected Congress MLAs are meeting here this afternoon to elect their leader, who will head the United Democratic Front Government in the state.

Chandy’s seniority, adminstrative experience and skills to manage the coaltion are seen as his favourable factors over KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala who also won the election this time.

A former chief minister, Chandy also enjoys the confidence of the front partners, which is crucial in running the government which commands only a wafer-thin majority of just two seats above the half-way mark in the 140-member house.

After the CLP meet, the UDF leaders will hold a session to formally endorse the Congress leader as head of the coalition.

Central Congress functionaries Mohsina Kidwai and Madhusudan Mistry are slated to attend the meet of the 38-member CLP as the AICC observers.

(News agency)