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Congress’s VD Satheesan takes oath as Kerala CM as UDF returns to power


Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, May 18, 2026: Congress leader VD Satheesan took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, leading a 21-member United Democratic Front (UDF) government back to power after a decade.

Along with Satheesan, the full Council of Ministers was sworn in together, marking the first time in nearly six decades that the entire Cabinet took oath simultaneously with the Chief Minister.

VD Satheesan takes oath as Kerala CM


The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior Congress leaders, alliance partners, national political figures and thousands of UDF supporters who gathered in the state capital to witness the change in government after the Congress-led alliance secured a decisive mandate in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.


The 20-member Cabinet sworn in alongside Satheesan includes senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, along with 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 OJ Janeesh.

Satheesan had earlier said that several deserving leaders could not be accommodated in the ministry because of political and social considerations.

The new Chief Minister had formally handed over the list of ministers to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Sunday evening, completing the government formation process within 24 hours after consultations with coalition partners and Congress leaders.

Satheesan, who served as the Leader of the Opposition for the last five years, is widely credited within the party for rebuilding the Congress’s grassroots presence in Kerala.

The Congress emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections with 63 seats, while the UDF alliance won 102 seats in the 140-member House, ending the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front’s 10-year rule in the state.

Several top Congress leaders attended the ceremony, including Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other senior leaders were also present at the venue.

The new government is expected to prioritise the implementation of the UDF’s electoral promises, including free KSRTC bus travel for women, enhanced welfare pensions and financial support schemes for students and young entrepreneurs.