After 10 Years of Left Rule, Congress Returns to Power in Kerala

Congress leader V. D. Satheesan was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Sunday, marking the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to power after a decade of Left rule in the state. The grand swearing-in ceremony was held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, where several senior Congress leaders and party workers gathered to celebrate the historic political comeback. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the presence of top Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Leaders from Congress-ruled states and senior party members also attended the event, making it one of the most significant political gatherings in recent years for the party. The United Democratic Front secured a landslide victory in the recently concluded Kerala Assembly elections, ending the ten-year rule of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The election result is being seen as a major political shift in the state, where the Left had maintained strong control over the government for the last two terms. VD Satheesan took the oath along with his full 20-member cabinet, a rare occurrence in Kerala politics. According to political observers, this is the first time in nearly six decades that an entire cabinet has been sworn in together with the Chief Minister on the very first day of government formation. The ceremony witnessed emotional and celebratory moments as Rahul Gandhi congratulated Satheesan with a hug after the oath-taking. Supporters of the Congress party gathered in large numbers outside the venue, cheering for the new leadership and expressing hope for political and developmental changes in the state. The new Chief Minister is expected to focus on governance reforms, employment opportunities, welfare measures, and infrastructure development. The Congress leadership described the victory as a mandate for change and promised to work towards inclusive growth and better administration in Kerala. With this oath-taking ceremony, Congress has officially regained power in Kerala, opening a new political chapter in the state after ten years of Left governance.