Historic Comeback for Congress in Kerala: VD Satheesan Sworn in as Chief Minister as UDF Takes the Stage in Thiruvananthapuram

In a grand and historic ceremony held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, May 18, 2026, senior Congress leader V.D. Satheesan was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala. Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan, who took the oath in the name of God. This momentous ceremony marks the end of a decade-long Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule in the state, signaling a powerful return to power for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). In the recently concluded elections for the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the UDF secured a landslide victory by winning 102 seats, after which the Congress high command finalized Satheesan’s name following detailed deliberations. The 61-year-old leader, who served aggressively as the Leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2026, will now helm the state.

Alongside Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, a 20-member cabinet was sworn in, reflecting a calculated regional and social balance. Under the new cabinet framework, alliance partner Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has been allocated 5 ministerial berths, while the principal party, Congress, retains 11 positions, including the Chief Minister. Furthermore, allied parties like the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Kerala Congress, and the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) have been granted fair representation. Notably, the cabinet features 14 fresh faces, alongside two women ministers and two representatives from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. During the ceremony, leaders from Left-leaning allied factions, including Shibu Baby John (RSP) and C.P. John (CMP), chose to take a solemn affirmation rather than swearing in the name of God, while senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan took his oath in English.

Political heavyweights from across the country gathered in Thiruvananthapuram to witness this transition of power. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and K.C. Venugopal, along with Chief Ministers from various Congress-ruled states, attended the event. In a display of democratic consensus, former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several Left front leaders were also present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to V.D. Satheesan on assuming office, assuring full cooperation from the Central Government for Kerala’s development. Immediately after the ceremony, Chief Minister Satheesan arrived at the Secretariat to chair his first cabinet meeting, reiterating his government’s commitment to building a ‘Puthuyuga Keralam’ (New Era Kerala) focused on youth, transparent governance, and economic revival.