Congress Returns to Power in Keralam After Decade as VD Satheesan Takes Oath as Chief Minister
21-member UDF Cabinet sworn in at grand ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram attended by Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leaders
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram Monday mroning, where Keralam Governor RV Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan and members of his Council of Ministers.
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader VD Satheesan on Monday took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala, marking the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to power in the state after a decade.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram at 10 am, where Keralam Governor RV Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan and members of his Council of Ministers.
The new government assumes office following the UDF’s decisive victory in the recent Assembly elections, ending the ten-year rule of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front headed by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The 21-member Cabinet reflects the coalition structure of the UDF, with the Congress holding the largest share of ministerial berths. Along with Satheesan, senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K. Muraleedharan, AP Anil Kumar, PC Vishnunadh, T. Siddique, Bindu Krishna, KA Thulasi, Roji M. John, M. Liju and OJ Janeesh were sworn in as ministers.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, secured five Cabinet positions. Senior IUML leaders PK Kunhalikutty, N. Shamsudeen, KM Shaji, PK Basheer and VE Abdul Gafoor joined the Cabinet as Ministers.
Other coalition partners represented in the Ministry include Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob and CP John.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attended the ceremony along with senior party leaders and chief ministers from Congress-ruled states.
Elaborate security and traffic arrangements were made across the state capital for the high-profile event, which drew thousands of party workers and supporters to the stadium premises. Large LED screens were installed in several parts of the city for public viewing of the ceremony.
Political observers view Satheesan’s elevation as a generational transition within the Congress in Kerala. As Leader of Opposition, Satheesan had emerged as the principal face of the UDF campaign against the Left government and played a key role in rebuilding the coalition’s grassroots support across the state.
The new government is expected to prioritise economic revival, welfare delivery, employment generation, and infrastructure development while attempting to balance coalition interests within the UDF alliance.
Portfolio allocation among Ministers is expected to be finalised shortly after the swearing-in.
