Mayur MohtaCongress leader VD Satheesan took oath as Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister on Monday ending 10 years of Left rule. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge witnessed the historic moment at Thiruvananthapuram’s Central Stadium.
A Historic Comeback : Kerala Welcomes Its New Chief Minister
Congress leader Vadasseri Damodaran Satheesan better known as VD Satheesan took oath as Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister on Monday morning. The grand swearing-in ceremony unfolded at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram drawing thousands of jubilant UDF supporters, political leaders, and top national figures. Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath to Satheesan, who took it in the name of God. The event marked the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s triumphant return to power a full decade after it last held office in the state.
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20-Member Cabinet Takes Charge In Record Time
Satheesan did not step into office alone. A full 20-member Cabinet was sworn in alongside him a process the new Chief Minister proudly noted was completed in under 24 hours, the fastest government formation in Kerala’s history. “We have discussed with coalition partners and completed the entire process within 24 hours,” Satheesan said. “We have ensured social and regional balance, along with adequate representation for women and the Scheduled Castes.”
The Cabinet includes Congress heavyweights Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) secured five berths PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, N Samsudheen, KM Shaji, and VE Abdul Gafoor. Other ministers sworn in were 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. All ministers took their oath in the name of God except Shibu Baby John and CP John, who chose solemn affirmation.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka, and Kharge Lead National Congress Presence
The ceremony drew a powerful turnout of national Congress leadership. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge were all present at the Central Stadium. AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal who had been a key power broker in cabinet formation also attended. After taking oath, Satheesan shared a warm hug with Rahul Gandhi on stage. Kharge, speaking to reporters, called it “an unprecedented victory,” adding “We are happy because it was a huge mandate.”
Congress-Ruled State CMs Add Star Power To The Occasion
The ceremony also drew Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, former Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer, Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and CPI leader Binoy Viswam were also present underscoring the ceremony’s broad political significance.
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Chennithala Promises Five Guarantees Will Be Honoured
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala who announced he will take charge of the Home portfolio struck a confident tone before the ceremony. “Today is an auspicious day for the people of Kerala because after 10 years, the UDF is coming to power,” he told reporters. “It is our bounden duty to give good governance to the people of Kerala.” Chennithala also confirmed that the new government would honour all five guarantees Rahul Gandhi had announced during the Kerala Assembly election campaign.
Satheesan : A Six-Term MLA From Paravur
VD Satheesan is no newcomer to politics. He won the 2026 Assembly election from the Paravur constituency securing his sixth consecutive term as an MLA. He polled 78,658 votes and beat CPI candidate ET Taison Master by a margin of over 20,600 votes. Paravur has been his political home for 25 years since he first won the seat back in 2001. Ahead of the ceremony, Satheesan expressed his sense of responsibility: “With a sense of divine responsibility, I remain committed to ensuring inclusive governance, respecting all communities, and prioritising the development and progress of Kerala.”
Assembly and Budget : The Road Ahead
The new government has a packed legislative calendar ahead. Newly elected MLAs will take oath on May 21, while the Speaker election is expected on May 22. Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will serve as Assembly Speaker and Shanimol Usman as Deputy Speaker. MLA Apu John Joseph has been appointed Government Chief Whip. The Governor’s policy address is scheduled for May 29 and the state Budget is expected to be presented around June 5.
UDF’s Landslide : A Decade-Defining Verdict
The backdrop to all of this is a decisive mandate. The UDF swept the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections winning 102 of 140 seats. Congress alone bagged 63 seats its highest-ever tally in the state while the IUML secured 22. The Left Democratic Front, which had ruled for two straight terms, was reduced to just 35 seats. The BJP managed only three constituencies. The result widely seen as a turning point ends a chapter of LDF dominance and opens what Satheesan’s supporters hope will be a new era for Kerala.
Akshay Didwaniya
Aditya Didwaniya
Pratik Agrawal