VD Satheesan to Take Oath as Kerala Chief Minister, 20-Member UDF Cabinet Set for Swearing-In
The Congress-led United Democratic Front will return to power in Kerala after a decade as V.D. Satheesan prepares to take oath as Chief Minister along with a 20-member cabinet in Thiruvananthapuram today.
May 18, 2026 | Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is set to formally assume power in Kerala on Monday with senior Congress leader V. D. Satheesan taking oath as the new Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, marking the UDF’s return to governance after spending nearly ten years in the opposition.
Satheesan, who led the UDF campaign in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, announced a 21-member ministry, including himself and 20 cabinet ministers. The cabinet reportedly balances representation across regions, communities, coalition allies, and experienced as well as first-time ministers. Several new faces have been inducted into the ministry, signaling a generational shift within the Congress-led alliance.
According to reports, the Congress has retained a majority share in the cabinet, while alliance partners including the Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress factions have also secured representation. Senior leaders such as Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan and Sunny Joseph are expected to play significant roles in the new administration. Discussions over portfolio allocation reportedly continued until late Sunday evening.
The oath-taking ceremony is expected to witness the presence of several national Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with chief ministers from Congress-ruled states. Security and traffic arrangements have been intensified across the Kerala capital ahead of the high-profile political event.
The UDF secured a decisive mandate in the recently concluded Assembly elections, ending the decade-long rule of the Left Democratic Front led by Pinarayi Vijayan. Political observers believe the new government will face immediate expectations on governance reforms, economic revival, employment generation and welfare delivery.
Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter
Also Read- Pune
