Thiruvananthapuram: The swearing-in ceremony of Congress CLP Leader Shri V.D Satheesan as Keralam’s Chief Minister took place in Thiruvananthapuram on May 18, 2026, marking Congress’ return to power in the state after a 10-year gap. The event is described as a major political and symbolic moment for the UDF alliance, with 20 ministers taking oath alongside the new CM, including members from Congress, IUML, and allied parties. Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary and Wayanad MP Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Senior leader from the centre and state were present. Several Congress-ruled state Chief Ministers, including Karnataka Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, Telangana Chief Minister Shri Revanth Reddy, and Himachal Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, were also seen on the stage, highlighting Party unity across states.

Shri K.C. Venugopal and Shri Ramesh Chennithala were previously in contention for the CM post. They were also present and fully supported the new Chief Minister. Overall, the ceremony is portrayed as both a historic political comeback and a strategic display of unity, balancing experience and youth in the new Keralam cabinet.

21-member UDF cabinet sworn in at the state capital. The oath ceremony took place at Central Stadium, where a massive stage has been set up for the oath-taking ceremony. Temporary rain shelters and seating has been arranged for thousands of Party workers, national political figures, and local dignitaries.

Thousands of UDF supporters from across Keralam had reached Thiruvananthapuram to witness the swearing-in ceremony. The Congress-led alliance clinched a decisive victory in the recently held Assembly elections, unseating the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front. Chief Minister Shri VD Satheesan (61), who served as the Leader of the Opposition for the last five years, is credited with revitalising the Party’s grassroots base. Congress CLP leader Shri VD Satheesan handed over the list of 20 ministers to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on May 17, 2026, evening. The ministers include senior Congress leaders and former ministers Shri Ramesh Chennithala, Shri K Muraleedharan, and Shri AP Anil Kumar, as well as KPCC Chief Shri Sunny Joseph. Senior IUML leader Shri PK Kunhalikutty, RSP leader Shri Shibu Baby John, Keralam Congress leader Shri Mons Joseph, and Keralam Congress (Jacob) leader Anoop Jacob will also be part of the cabinet.

There are 14 new faces in the cabinet, including Chief Minister Satheesan, who is holding a government position for the first time despite being elected from Paravur since 2001. The cabinet includes two women and two members from the Scheduled Caste community. New faces in the cabinet include Shri CP John and IUML leaders Shri N Shamsuddin, Shri M. Liju, Shri KM Shaji, Shri PK Basheer, and Shri VE Abdul Gafoor. Congress leaders Shri PC Vishnunadh, Shri Roji M John, Smt. Bindu Krishna, Shri T Siddique, Smt. KA Thulasi, and Shri OJ Janeesh are also among the first-time ministers. The Assembly elections to the 140-member House were held on April 9, with results declared on May 4. The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats, the LDF secured 35, and the BJP won three.