Congress leader V D Satheesan on Friday appealed to party workers to refrain from holding demonstrations and putting up flex boards, even as protests and campaigns intensified across Kerala demanding that he be named the next chief minister.

In a Facebook post, the former Opposition leader said the process to elect the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader was underway and urged leaders and workers not to do anything that could create difficulties for the party or the United Democratic Front.

“We have achieved the biggest victory in the history of Congress and UDF with 102 seats. The first phase of the process to elect the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader has been completed, and the AICC has entered the second phase,” Satheesan said.

He added, “In such a situation, leaders and workers should not do anything that creates difficulties for the party and the front. We should avoid holding demonstrations and putting up flex boards. We kindly request our dear Congress-UDF workers to refrain from such actions.”

Additionally, in a statement issued on Friday, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the party would be forced to take action against workers who campaign, raise slogans or make controversial statements in favour of leaders for the chief ministerial position, in line with the AICC’s directive.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Congress workers and supporters marched from Palayam to the Secretariat and Vizhinjam, chanting slogans and holding posters and placards.

Similar protests were held in Pambady in Kottayam involving panchayat presidents and members, in Vadakara in Kozhikode, and in Kasaragod, where around 100 workers participated. Huge cutouts were also erected in Kayamkulam. Calling him the “kingmaker”, “Bahubali” and the man behind the UDF’s rise in the elections, supporters rallied across the state. Posters in favour of K C Venugopal were also torn down in several places.

A social media campaign has also gained momentum, with supporters sharing Satheesan’s photograph alongside slogans such as “Let V D lead” and “Let the one who led the battle lead.” The Idukki District Congress Committee has taken action against members who participated in protest marches on Thursday.

Apart from Satheesan, Venugopal and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala are also being considered for the post. Reports suggest that a majority of MLAs favour Venugopal for the top post, triggering sharp criticism from Congress supporters. Many took to social media and accused the party leadership of “double standards”.

The situation turned dramatic when a party worker in Kottayam allegedly attempted self-immolation, demanding that Satheesan be named Kerala’s next chief minister. The incident occurred around 10 am at Kurupanthara Junction in Kaduthuruthy. Police said Francis John, a Congress worker, climbed onto the back of his autorickshaw pickup vehicle at the junction and poured petrol over himself while raising slogans in support of Satheesan.

Meanwhile, AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken submitted their report to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday. They told reporters that the report includes the names suggested by the newly elected Congress MLAs along with their views.