The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) formally returned to power in Kerala on Monday, ending a decade-long wait, as senior Congress leader VD Satheesan took oath as the state’s new Chief Minister before a packed crowd at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The swearing-in ceremony marked a major political shift in Kerala after two consecutive terms of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Pinarayi Vijayan. Riding on a sweeping mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections, the UDF secured 102 seats in the 140-member House, while the Congress emerged as the single-largest party with 63 seats. The LDF was reduced to 35 seats, while the BJP managed to win three constituencies.
The atmosphere at the venue turned celebratory the moment Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar announced Satheesan’s name for oath-taking. Party workers waved flags, shouted slogans and erupted in cheers as the 61-year-old leader took oath in the name of God.
#WATCH | Congress leader VD Satheesan takes oath as Chief Minister of Keralam at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram
(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/MKCPgnpO3F
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026
Satheesan was joined by a 20-member Council of Ministers that reflected the alliance structure of the UDF. The ceremony concluded with the playing of Vande Mataram followed by the National Anthem.
IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty was the first minister to take oath after the Chief Minister, followed by senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and Sunny Joseph.
The new ministry includes 12 ministers from the Congress, five from the Indian Union Muslim League and one each from Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Jacob), CMP and the Revolutionary Socialist Party.
New Cabinet balances veterans and first-time ministers
Fourteen members took oath as ministers for the first time in the new Cabinet, underlining the Congress leadership’s attempt to blend experience with fresh faces.
Among those sworn in were AP Anil Kumar, Shibu Baby John, M Liju, Mons Joseph, CP John, Anoop Jacob, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, T Siddique, PC Vishnunath, KA Thulasi and OJ Janeesh. IUML leaders KM Shaji, PK Basheer, VE Abdul Gafoor and N Samsudheen also joined the ministry.
Interestingly, Mons Joseph remains the only member in the Cabinet who had earlier served as a minister in the VS Achuthanandan-led LDF government between 2007 and 2009.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Satheesan said the Cabinet formation process was completed within 24 hours while ensuring social, regional and community representation.
“We have to consider the social and regional balance and the representation of women and Dalit representation,” he said.
He also announced that senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will serve as Speaker of the Assembly, while Shanimol Usman has been chosen as Deputy Speaker. MLA Apu John Joseph will be the Government Chief Whip.
Congress leadership marks Kerala comeback with strong show of support
Several senior national leaders attended the ceremony, underlining the importance the Congress leadership attached to the Kerala victory.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress general secretary KC Venugopal were present at the venue.
Chief Ministers and senior leaders from Congress-ruled states, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, also attended the event.
Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and CPI leader Binoy Viswam were among leaders from rival parties seen at the ceremony.
Five guarantees likely to dominate first Cabinet meeting
Soon after the swearing-in ceremony and the customary tea reception, the newly formed Cabinet headed to the Secretariat for its first official meeting.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the government would move quickly on the five guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi during the election campaign.
The promises include free bus travel for women, Rs 1,000 monthly assistance for college-going girls, welfare pensions of Rs 3,000, health insurance coverage of Rs 25 lakh for families under the Oommen Chandy scheme, and interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for small businesses.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan personally received several visiting leaders at the airport, in what was viewed as a carefully planned political message ahead of the oath-taking ceremony.
A lawyer by profession, Satheesan has represented the Paravur constituency since 2001 and won his sixth consecutive Assembly election this year. He became Leader of Opposition after the 2021 Assembly elections and went on to lead the UDF’s campaign against the ruling Left government in 2026.