VD Satheeshan likely to take oath as Kerala CM on May 18 with 21-member Cabinet

Congress leader and Kerala CM-elect VD Satheeshan is likely to take oath as the next Chief Minister on May 18, with 21 ministers.

After days of suspense, the Congress earlier today announced VD Satheeshan as its CM face in Kerala.

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After the formal announcement, the Congress Legislature Party passed a resolution to unanimously elect CM-designate Satheesan as its leader in the Assembly.

The resolution was moved by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph and supported by senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was also in the CM race, reportedly skipped the meeting. However, he gave a letter supporting Satheesan as the CLP leader.

Shortly after this, the Chief Minister-designate called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan and handed over letters of support from the Congress-led UDF alliance, which swept the Assembly elections with a commanding tally of 102 seats in the 140-member House.

The Governor subsequently invited Satheesan to form the next government,

Congress leaders are expected to meet Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to hand over letters of support from other UDF alliance partners and formally stake claim to form the government.

Tharoor congratulates Satheeshan, calls his elevation ‘richly deserved recognition’

Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has congratulated VD Satheesan on being named the Chief Minister of Kerala, calling it a “richly deserved recognition” of his leadership, dedication, and service to the party and the people of the state.

Tharoor said that he was delighted by Satheesan’s appointment and recalled campaigning alongside him during the Assembly elections.

“Heartiest congratulations to Shri @VDSatheesan ji on being named leader of the Congress Legislature Party and Chief Minister-designate of Kerala — a richly deserved recognition of his tenacity, conviction, and years of dedicated service to our party and people. I campaigned alongside him and am delighted by his richly deserved appointment,” he said on X.