VD Satheesan has officially taken the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Kerala, along with a 20-member Council of Ministers. The ceremony took place at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram at 10 am on May 18, 2026.
Satheesan announced the Cabinet members a day prior to the ceremony after discussions with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who received the final list of ministers. This list was developed through extensive consultations among allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Key Ministerial Appointments
In addition to his role as Chief Minister, VD Satheesan will oversee the finance portfolio. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala will manage the Home Department, signaling a significant responsibility in the government’s new structure.
Other notable Congress leaders in the cabinet include K. Muraleedharan and Sunny Joseph, alongside several other ministers such as AP Anilkumar, PC Vishnunadh, Roji M. John, Bindhu Krishna, M. Liju, T. Siddique, and OJ Janeesh. KA Thulasi will also serve as one of the two women ministers representing the Congress party.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is represented by ministers PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, N Shamsudheen, KM Shaji, and Abdul Gafoor.
Allies in the Cabinet
The representation of UDF alliance partners in the new cabinet includes CP John from the Communist Marxist Party (CMP), Shibu Baby John from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Anoop Jacob from the Kerala Congress (Jacob), and Mons Joseph from the Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction.
Additionally, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has been named the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly, while Shanimol Usman will serve as Deputy Speaker.
Live Updates from the Ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated VD Satheesan shortly after the oath-taking. In a social media post, he extended his best wishes for Satheesan’s tenure, promising support from the Central Government to the new Kerala administration.
During the ceremony, onlookers cheered as Ramesh Chennithala took his oath as Minister and greeted Rahul Gandhi alongside other officials after the ceremony concluded.
The event attracted numerous political figures, including former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who appeared in a traditional Kerala saree.
Expectations and Responsibilities
Ramesh Chennithala articulated the significance of the UDF’s return to power after a decade, emphasizing the government’s primary responsibilities are to enhance governance and law enforcement in Kerala. He reiterated the commitment to implement five key promises made during the campaign.
Echoing these sentiments, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge characterized the occasion as a major milestone, celebrating the UDF’s achievement as an unprecedented victory.
Pre-Ceremony Arrangements
Prior to the oath-taking, VD Satheesan welcomed dignitaries at Thiruvananthapuram Airport, where many prominent political figures arrived. Congress MP KC Venugopal assured that everything was on track as attendees gathered for the ceremony.
Seating arrangements for the event were reportedly revised after Satheesan objected to earlier restrictions that limited stage access to only the Governor, Chief Minister, and ministers. This adjustment allowed key figures like Rahul Gandhi to participate in the ceremony.
Final Cabinet Overview
The Congress party will hold eleven ministerial positions in the new cabinet, with VD Satheesan maintaining the finance portfolio in addition to his responsibilities as Chief Minister. The new government signifies a comprehensive shift in state administration after the UDF’s win in the recent elections.
