VD Satheesan Sworn in as Kerala Chief Minister, Heads New UDF Government

In a significant political shift in Kerala, Congress leader VD Satheesan was sworn in as the Chief Minister on Monday, marking a fresh chapter for the state’s United Democratic Front (UDF) government. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, just two weeks after the Assembly election results were declared on May 4, 2026.

The decision to appoint Satheesan, made official last Thursday, follows a period of intense deliberation among Congress leaders, including prominent figures like Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Reports suggested a deadlock within the party’s Kerala unit, which ultimately led to the selection of Satheesan as the front-runner for the chief ministerial role.

Under Satheesan’s leadership, the UDF secured a total of 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, successfully overcoming the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) that had dominated the state for the past decade. The Congress party alone clinched 63 seats, surpassing the crucial majority mark of 70. Notably, Satheesan himself won the Paravur constituency by a convincing margin of 20,600 votes against his LDF rival, ET Taison.

The new Chief Minister’s cabinet will also be sworn in alongside him. The lineup will feature 11 ministers from the Congress party, including notable names such as Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K Muraleedharan, and Bindu Krishna. Additionally, representatives from the Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Jacob), the Revolutionary Socialist Party, and the Communist Marxist Party are set to contribute to the cabinet’s diverse composition.

This transition in leadership is expected to bring about key changes in governance, with the UDF aiming to address pressing issues in the state, including economic recovery, social welfare programs, and infrastructural development. As Kerala embarks on this new political journey under VD Satheesan, the political landscape is primed for both challenges and opportunities.

Source: scroll.in