No film star is having a year as good as Sandra Hüller. With Project Hail Mary smashing the box office, and new film Fatherland earning rave reviews at Cannes, she could do the unprecedented. We all know a potential Oscar clip when we see one
Dual-income techie couple hesitates to buy ₹1.7 crore flat amid IT layoffsThe techie shared that while they can manage the EMIs and down payment, they fear getting trapped with a massive loan during layoffs. Published on: May 16, 2026 7:09 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link For tech
Hollywood star John Travolta has been surprised with an honourary Palme d'Or, the Cannes equivalent of a lifetime achievement award, while premiering his directorial debut at the film festival. The 72-year-old actor, who was at the film festival for the premiere of Propeller One-Way Night Coach
‘Bee tornado’ spotted near White House: ‘Is this a biblical curse 2.0?’Videos circulating across social media showed dense clouds of bees swarming around the White House press corps’ “Pebble Beach” media workspace. Updated on: May 16, 2026 4:06 AM IST By Shirin Gupta Share via Copy
Split tenure plan for Kerala CM post shot down in Delhi during Congress leadership talksOn Thursday, the party announced their choice as VD Satheesan, the 61-year-old leader of opposition. There were no deputy chief ministers announced. Updated on: May 16
VD Satheesan Named Kerala’s New Chief Minister As Congress Ends 11 Days Of Suspense
VD Satheesan Named Kerala’s New Chief Minister As Congress Ends 11 Days Of Suspense
VD Satheesan has been announced the next Kerala CM. The decision ended days of suspense and intense lobbying within the Congress after the UDF’s massive Assembly election victory.
After days of intense lobbying, backroom consultations and mounting suspense, the Congress on Thursday finally announced senior leader VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala following the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.
The decision came after hectic discussions in New Delhi between senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, amid competing claims from different factions within the party.
Satheesan’s elevation brings an end to prolonged uncertainty that had overshadowed the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s (UDF) sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly elections, where the alliance secured 102 out of 140 seats.
CLP MEETING ENDS HIGH-DRAMA BUILD-UP
The Congress Legislature Party meeting held at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram formally elected Satheesan as its leader, paving the way for him to stake a claim to form the next government.
The announcement followed several rounds of consultations in Delhi that continued till hours before the CLP meeting.
Visuals aired earlier in the day had shown Congress MP KC Venugopal arriving at Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi, fuelling speculation that the high command was engaged in final deliberations.
According to IANS, senior leaders Deepa Dasmunsi, Ajay Maken, and Mukul Wasnik were also in Delhi as discussions continued at the highest level.
Even till noon, the Congress leadership had maintained silence over the final decision, adding to the political suspense.
SUPPORTERS CELEBRATE IN ALUVA
There was a celebratory mood outside Satheesan’s residence in Aluva even before the official announcement, with supporters gathering in large numbers as he left for Thiruvananthapuram with his family earlier in the day.
Television visuals showed party workers cheering and wishing him luck ahead of the decisive CLP meeting.
Though Satheesan did not speak to reporters before leaving, his supporters remained confident that the Congress leadership would eventually back him for the top post.
Seen as an aggressive Opposition leader during the previous Assembly term, Satheesan had emerged as one of the strongest contenders in the race.
CONGRESS ENDS INTERNAL TUSSLE
The Congress victory in Kerala had been overshadowed by internal competition between camps backing Satheesan, Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.
The delay in naming the Chief Minister had also triggered visible anxiety among party workers and alliance partners.
According to PTI, lobbying by various camps and pressure from workers at the grassroots level had complicated the decision-making process despite the alliance’s massive mandate.
Even alliance partners had begun openly asserting their demands while waiting for clarity from the Congress leadership.
ALLIES PUSH FOR REPRESENTATION
Kerala Congress (J) chairman PJ Joseph had reiterated on Thursday that his party would seek two ministerial berths in the new government.
“We will make our claim in the UDF meeting. We will ask for two ministers,” Joseph told reporters before leaving for Thiruvananthapuram.
Joseph also expressed hope that the Congress leadership would consider the views of allies while finalising the Chief Minister.
Responding to criticism that UDF allies were interfering in the CM selection process, he said his party had only conveyed its opinion after being consulted.
“It was said after our opinion was sought,” he said.
GOVERNMENT FORMATION PROCESS BEGINS
According to IANS, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph had already established contact with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as part of the government formation process.
There were also indications that the newly elected legislators could conduct a roadshow to Lok Bhavan following the CLP meeting.
With Satheesan now officially chosen as the CLP leader, the Congress leadership is expected to move quickly towards government formation and cabinet discussions after days of political uncertainty.
Source: News18.com
Related Posts: Kerala CM-designate Satheesan meets Ramesh Chennithala Six Trials For Satheesan Yumnam Khemchand Singh Named Next Manipur Chief Minister In Power-Sharing Breakthrough Bari Weiss named editor-in-chief of CBS News under Free Press-Paramount deal Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne named chief coach of Indian women's hockey team Bengal top poll officer named as chief secretary Sensex Ends 5-Day Winning Run Markets Ends Near Day's High Sensex Ends 5-Day Winning Run Flipkart Republic Day Sale ends today
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.4K, OLED, HDR: What actually matters when buying a TV in 2026Choosing a TV gets confusing fast, so understanding display, HDR, gaming
1 minutes ago
India cannot depend on others for its security: RajnathDefence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasizes self-reliance in India's defence sector, highlighting significant advancements and new projects for national security. Published on: May 16, 2026 7:58 AM IST By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu
Just now
Under the revised norms, first-time applicants seeking permission to import gold will now undergo mandatory physical inspection of their manufacturing units by DGFT officials before authorisation is granted. New Delhi: The Centre has imposed a limit on duty-free gold imports under the
Just now
The US government is suing a Chick-fil-A franchisee for allegedly denying an employee's request to take Saturdays off work for religious reasons. The lawsuit claims that Hatch Trick Inc, the franchisee, violated federal law by denying an employee's request to refrain from work on Saturdays for
1 minutes ago
VD Satheesan has been announced the next Kerala CM. The decision ended days of suspense and intense lobbying within the Congress after the UDF’s massive Assembly election victory. After days of intense lobbying, backroom consultations and mounting suspense
1 minutes ago
Uphold ‘nation first’ spirit, support PM’s call to conserve fuel: YogiChief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurates, lays foundation stone of ₹208-crore projects in Maharajganj district, says every vote transformative, can choose development or mafia rule Published on: May 16
Just now
The tax cut could help cushion the impact of recent jet fuel price hikes on consumers and transport-related sectors in the state. The Maharashtra government on Friday reduced value-added tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) or jet fuel from 18 per cent to 7 per cent for a period of six months
1 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump has cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China. "I'm not looking to have somebody go independent," the US president told Fox News on Friday, at the end of his two-day summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing
1 minutes ago
As AI reshapes career expectations, students and parents are increasingly evaluating universities through the lens of future-readiness. Modern infrastructure, technology enabled learning environments and visible institutional preparedness are emerging as important factors influencing admissions
Just now
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested the main accused in the alleged paper leak in the 2026 undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, said the Union government on Friday. In a press release, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions identified the alleged
1 minutes ago
Rupee at Fresh All-Time Low: The domestic currency hits its fresh all-time low of 96.14 against the US dollar during the day, falling 50 paise from the previous close. Rupee at New Record Low: The Indian rupee on Friday breached the 96 mark for the first time in history
Just now
The cruise missile hit the nine-story corner apartment block Thursday during what the Ukrainian air force said was Russia’s biggest barrage on the country of the full-scale invasion. Emergency workers finished digging through the rubble searching for victims after more than a day
1 minutes ago
The Indian rupee closed at a record low of 95.8 against the United States dollar on Friday. During the intraday trade, the currency breached the 96-per-dollar mark on account of rising global oil prices due to the war in West Asia and inflation concerns
1 minutes ago
OpenAI has launched a new Personal Finance experience inside ChatGPT which allows users to connect their financial accounts, chat with the AI assistant to understand their spending habits, subscriptions, investments, and broader financial goals
Just now
Love Horoscope Today for May 16, 2026: Real love may feel safer than expectedLove Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: May 16, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Love asks you to think of long-term
Just now
In a significant milestone for Assam politics, Chandra Mohan Patowary has been sworn in as Pro-tem Speaker of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly, ready to lead the ceremony for incoming MLAs as the Assembly convenes on May 21. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is currently reviewing advancements
1 minutes ago
The casting process for the new James Bond has officially begun, after years of anticipation and speculation about who will take over from Daniel Craig as 007. "The search for the next James Bond is under way," Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement
1 days ago
Efforts to unseat British Prime Minister Keir Starmer from within his party broke into open rebellion on Thursday (May 15, 2026), with one potential rival resigning from the Cabinet and two others positioning themselves for a future leadership challenge
1 days ago
The in Beijing is forcing Korea's to weigh a difficult trade-off as equipment suppliers see fresh business opportunities while manufacturers fear a narrowed . This dilemma pits the potential for immediate sales in China against the long-term risk of helping Chinese firms catch up to industry
1 days ago
‘Not right’: Former RAW chief flags security risks in PM Modi convoy downsizingStressing that the present security environment remains “highly volatile”, Goel said the Prime Minister’s protection should instead be strengthened. Published on: May 15
1 days ago
Jwala Gutta 'donated 60 litres of breast milk to government hospitals in Hyderabad and Chennai' in one year: Here is whyJwala Gutta highlighted the importance of donor milk for infants in NICUs. The badminton champion shared her journey of ‘donating 60 litres of breast milk’
1 days ago
Is pancreatic cancer hiding in plain sight? Gastroenterologist explains the silent red flags most people ignoreDr Saurabh Sethi warns that pancreatic cancer often progresses silently, with vague symptoms like back pain and weight loss easily ignored. Family Published on: May 15
1 days ago
Father breaks laptop, makes student sleep on floor over 57.4% in CBSE examsThe Reddit post has sparked a discussion on the toxic environment created by some Indian households during academic cycles. Published on: May 15, 2026 12:20 PM IST By HT Trending Desk Share via Copy link A heartbreaking
1 days ago
Chinese tech giant Tencent announced strategic partnerships with the Services Export Promotion Council () and the () on Friday.“Our goal in India is two-pronged: bringing world-class gaming experiences to Indian players, while simultaneously building the developer and talent ecosystem
1 days ago
China called on Friday (May 15, 2026) for a lasting truce in the West Asia and for shipping lanes to be reopened “as soon as possible”, as the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed during the war with Iran. Iran has largely blocked shipping through the vital strait since
1 days ago
India’s AI ecosystem is entering a new phase driven by collaborative platforms connecting builders, enterprises, and innovation communities at scale. As AI experimentation becomes more accessible, ecosystems such as ET AI Hackathon 2.0 are accelerating real-world innovation
1 days ago
PM Modi landed, signed key deals, left UAE - all in 2 hours | Full list of pactsAmong the deals signed between India and the UAE during PM Modi's visit is agreement on framework for strategic defence partnership between both countries. Updated on: May 15
1 days ago
