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V D Satheesan takes oath as Kerala's new chief minister
Kerala CM V D Satheesan took oath as the new Chief Minister of Kerala. His full Council of Ministers was also sworn in. This marks the United Democratic Front's return to power after ten years. The ceremony saw attendance from prominent national and state leaders. The new cabinet includes several new faces and aims for social representation.
Congress leader V D Satheesan on Monday took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, along with his full Council of Ministers, marking the return of the United Democratic Front (UDF) to power after a decade.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the Congress Legislature Party leader. Satheesan took oath in the name of God.
Besides Satheesan, the 20-member Council of Ministers was also sworn in by the Governor at the ceremony held in the state capital. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Left leaders and representatives of the BJP also attended the event. The Cabinet features 14 new faces, including Chief Minister V D Satheesan, who is taking up a government post for the first time despite being elected from Paravur continuously since 2001.
The ministry includes two women and two representatives from Scheduled Caste communities, reflecting an effort to ensure social representation in the Council of Ministers.
Among the first-time ministers are CMP leader C P John and IUML leaders N Samsudheen, K M Shaji, P K Basheer and V E Abdul Gafoor.
Congress legislators P C Vishnunadh, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, T Siddique, K A Thulasi and O J Janeesh also figure among the new entrants to the Cabinet.
Thousands of Congress workers from across Kerala thronged the state capital for the ceremony, turning the venue into a large political gathering to mark the return of the UDF government.
The 20-member Cabinet sworn in alongside Satheesan includes senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and KPCC president Sunny Joseph, as well as Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, N Samsudheen, KM Shaji and VE Abdul Gafoor. Other ministers include Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, CP John, AP Anil Kumar, T Siddique, PC Vishnunath, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, M Liju, KA Thulasi and O J Janeesh.
Satheesan has also named senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as Speaker of the Assembly, while Shanimol Usman will serve as Deputy Speaker. MLA Apu John Joseph has been appointed Government Chief Whip.
The swearing-in comes after the UDF secured a decisive mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections, winning 102 of the 140 seats and ending the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) decade-long rule. The Congress emerged as the single-largest party with 63 seats, while the IUML won 22 seats. The BJP-led NDA secured three seats.
Satheesan had on Sunday formally finalised the Cabinet list after consultations with coalition partners and senior Congress leaders, before meeting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan to submit the names of ministers.
Addressing reporters after meeting the Governor, Satheesan had said the full Cabinet taking oath alongside the Chief Minister marked a rare occurrence, happening after nearly six decades. He also acknowledged that not all eligible leaders could be accommodated, citing the need to balance social, regional and gender representation.
He said the government formation process was completed in record time after extensive internal discussions within the Congress and alliance partners, calling it “the fastest in Kerala’s history.”
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who also took oath as minister, said the new government would work to fulfil its electoral promises in phases, including key welfare commitments.
IUML leaders inducted into the Cabinet expressed confidence in delivering on public expectations, while several newly sworn-in ministers said the mandate from the people would be respected through performance and governance.
Satheesan was chosen as Chief Minister shortly after the UDF’s landslide victory, with the alliance leadership opting for the former Leader of Opposition, who played a key role in rebuilding the Congress organisation in Kerala and steering the coalition through multiple electoral wins in recent years.
His elevation came after internal discussions considered other senior leaders, including KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, both of whom were seen as strong contenders given their organisational and electoral experience.
The UDF’s win marked a significant political shift in the state, ending the LDF’s 10-year rule and setting the stage for a new Congress-led government in Kerala.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Source: EconomicTimes
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