On Monday, May 18, V.D. Satheesan took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Kerala, signaling a major political shift as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returns to power after a decade-long hiatus. The high-profile ceremony, held at Thiruvananthapuram’s Central Stadium, was attended by top Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge. The new cabinet is set to include 20 ministers, featuring key figures like Ramesh Chennithala, who has been tapped for the crucial Home portfolio, alongside representation from the Indian Union Muslim League and other coalition partners.

The formation of this government follows a decisive performance in the April 9 assembly elections, where the UDF secured 102 seats, comfortably outpacing the Left Democratic Front. Despite internal debates within the party—where some factions had favored K.C. Venugopal—Satheesan’s deep ties with grassroots supporters and the backing of key allies paved the way for his leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to the new Chief Minister, pledging central support for the state’s development. With a cabinet that includes two women, the new administration now shifts its focus toward fulfilling the promises made to the people of Kerala during the campaign.