Congress leader V.D. Satheesan took oath as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday, in a grand ceremony at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The swearing-in marked one of the most significant political moments in recent Kerala history — ending a decade of Left Democratic Front rule and bringing the Congress-led United Democratic Front back to power.
The UDF’s return follows a decisive mandate in the April 9 Assembly elections, where the alliance captured 102 seats in the 140-member House, handing a clear defeat to the CPI(M)-led Left government that had governed for two consecutive terms under Pinarayi Vijayan. The Congress high command chose Satheesan over senior rivals including K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala — a selection that reflected confidence in the man who personally led the UDF’s campaign and delivered the majority.
Of the 20 ministers taking oath alongside Satheesan, 14 are first-timers — a deliberate signal of generational change. The ministry ensures representation for alliance partners and diverse communities, including women and Scheduled Caste leaders. Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi attended the ceremony, along with Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan was also present.
The optics of a Congress-led government with a 21-member cabinet — half of them new faces — sends a clear message of renewal. Whether Satheesan can hold the coalition together through governance will be the real test in the months ahead.
