The Congress-led UDF is set to form government in Kerala with V.D. Satheesan taking oath alongside a full Cabinet after the alliance’s sweeping election victory.
Kerala Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan receives a grand welcome from Congress workers at Ernakulam Railway Station | X/@vdsatheesan
Thiruvananthapuram will witness a major political transition on Monday as Congress leader VD Satheesan takes oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala, marking the United Democratic Front’s return to power after 10 years in opposition.
The swearing-in ceremony at the Central Stadium is expected to bring together top Congress leaders, alliance partners and supporters celebrating the UDF’s sweeping mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and chief ministers from Congress-ruled states are likely to attend the event.
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The new government also signals a reshaping of Kerala’s political landscape after the Left Democratic Front’s decade-long hold over the state. The Congress-led alliance secured a commanding victory in the elections, with the Congress alone winning 63 seats and the UDF crossing the majority mark comfortably in the 140-member Assembly.
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Satheesan, who met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Sunday, submitted the final list of ministers who will be sworn in alongside him. Speaking to reporters later, the Chief Minister-designate said the entire Cabinet would take oath together, a move he described as happening after nearly six decades.
“The swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow at 10 am. Along with the Chief Minister, the full Cabinet will take the oath together after nearly six decades,” Satheesan said.
He said the government formation process had been completed within 24 hours after discussions with coalition partners and senior Congress leaders.
“We are delighted to say that within 24 hours, we have completed the entire process. This is the fastest in the history of Kerala,” he added.
The incoming administration will have a 20-member Cabinet besides the Chief Minister, with the Congress expected to hold the majority of portfolios.
Senior Congress leaders K Muraleedharan, Ramesh Chennithala, and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph are among those included in the ministry. Alliance partner Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has secured five berths in the Cabinet.
IUML leaders N Samsudheen, PK Kunhalikutty, KM Shaji, PK Basheer, and VE Abdul Gafoor are set to take oath as ministers. The party also announced that Kuttiadi MLA Parakkal Abdulla would join the ministry after two-and-a-half years under an internal arrangement.
Satheesan acknowledged that several senior leaders could not be accommodated due to coalition and social balancing considerations.
“We have to consider the social and regional balance and the representation of women and Dalit representation,” he said, adding that two Scheduled Caste members and women representatives had been included in the Cabinet.
The Chief Minister-designate also confirmed that senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan would serve as Speaker, while Shanimol Usman would become Deputy Speaker.
A day before assuming office, Satheesan met Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and sought his blessings.
In a message posted on X, Satheesan said the Archbishop’s wishes gave him “strength and encouragement” ahead of taking charge.
“With a sense of divine responsibility, I remain committed to ensuring inclusive governance, respecting all communities, and prioritising the development and progress of Kerala,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, leaders set to join the ministry said the government would focus on fulfilling promises made during the election campaign.
Congress leader K Muraleedharan said the UDF government would begin implementing its guarantees step by step, including schemes aimed at women.
“The new government will take over tomorrow. We will fulfil our promises to the people. Tomorrow will be a new start,” he said.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the alliance would work towards providing “good governance” and respecting the mandate given by the people of Kerala.
The UDF registered a decisive victory in the Assembly polls, winning 102 seats, while the LDF was reduced to 35 seats. The BJP managed to win three constituencies.
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