V D Satheesan has been sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala, marking the return of a Congress-led United Democratic Front government after a decade in opposition. The ceremony at Thiruvananthapuram’s Central Stadium drew senior national and state leaders, reflecting the political significance of the victory…reports Asian Lite News Desk
V D Satheesan was sworn in on Monday as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala, formally restoring a Congress-led United Democratic Front government in the state after a gap of 10 years. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, located close to the state Secretariat, and drew large crowds of supporters and party workers.
The announcement of Satheesan’s name by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar was met with prolonged applause and celebration inside the venue. Party supporters waved flags and raised slogans as the new government assumed office in a visibly charged atmosphere that reflected the significance of the electoral outcome for the Congress-led alliance.
Satheesan, who turns 62 on Sunday, took the oath in the name of God in front of thousands of attendees gathered both inside and outside the stadium. The event carried strong political symbolism, with senior leaders from across the Congress party and allied organisations sharing the stage alongside the new Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues.
Among those present were Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, alongside outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Leaders from allied parties, including the Indian Union Muslim League, also attended the ceremony. Senior figures from both the Communist parties, as well as leaders from the BJP, including State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, were also present on the dais.
Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh attended the event, underlining the national importance attached by the party leadership to the outcome in Kerala. The gathering was widely seen as a show of unity among Congress-ruled states and allied political formations.
The new Cabinet comprises 21 ministers, with 12 from the Congress, five from the Indian Union Muslim League, and one each from Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Jacob), CMP and RSP. Several of the ministers are first-time members of the state Cabinet, marking a generational shift within the new administration.
Veteran IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty was the second to be sworn in, followed by senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Sunny Joseph. Mons Joseph is the only minister in the new Cabinet who has previously served in a ministerial role, during the Left Democratic Front government led by V S Achuthanandan between 2007 and 2009, when his faction was aligned with the LDF.
For 14 members of the new ministry, Monday marked their first experience of taking oath as ministers, giving the Cabinet a largely new and refreshed composition. Supporters gathered from early morning, and the Central Stadium was soon packed to capacity, with many unable to gain entry due to the large turnout.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan personally received visiting dignitaries at the airport, setting a tone of political messaging and coordination ahead of the ceremony. Following a customary reception after the swearing-in, the newly formed Cabinet proceeded to the Secretariat for its first meeting.
Key policy decisions are expected to be discussed at the inaugural Cabinet meeting, including steps towards implementing the five guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi during the election campaign. The new government is expected to prioritise early administrative action as it begins its tenure following the return of the Congress-led alliance to power in Kerala.
