Big Day in Kerala Politics as VD Satheesan Takes Chief Minister Oath

The swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Kerala is set to take place today, with senior Congress leader V. D. Satheesan taking oath as the state’s 13th Chief Minister. The ceremony will begin at 10 am at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram and is expected to witness the presence of several prominent political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. The new government will consist of a 21-member cabinet, including the Chief Minister and 20 ministers. According to political sources, the Congress party is expected to hold 11 ministerial positions after securing 63 seats in the Assembly elections. Satheesan described the party’s performance as one of the Congress’ biggest victories in the state, while also acknowledging that many deserving leaders could not be accommodated in the cabinet. On Sunday, Satheesan announced the names of the ministers after holding discussions with alliance partners in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). He stated that social and regional balance was carefully considered during the cabinet formation process. Senior Congress leaders such as Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan, and Sunny Joseph are expected to be part of the ministry. Chennithala is likely to receive the crucial Home Ministry portfolio. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), an important ally in the UDF alliance, will also have a significant presence in the cabinet. IUML chief Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal confirmed that five party leaders — P. K. Kunhalikutty, N. Shamsuddin, K. M. Shaji, P. K. Basheer, and V. E. Abdul Gafoor — will be inducted as ministers in the new government. Meanwhile, the UDF has decided to nominate senior MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as the Assembly Speaker, while Shanimol Usman is expected to serve as Deputy Speaker. Discussions over portfolio distribution among alliance partners are nearly complete, with only a few minor matters left unresolved. Reports also suggest that Satheesan may retain an important department such as the Finance Ministry, although the final allocation of portfolios will be officially announced after cabinet approval and notification by the Governor.