Kerala’s 16th Legislative Assembly convened on Thursday amid a dramatic reversal in the state’s political landscape following the April 2026 election. The Congress-led UDF entered the House with a commanding majority, while the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front began its term on the opposition benches after a crushing defeat…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The swearing in of members of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly began on Thursday morning, formally inaugurating a House reshaped by one of the most significant political shifts in the state’s history.
Proceedings commenced at 9 a.m. after Pro Tem Speaker G. Sudhakaran, who was sworn in by Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar on Wednesday, took his seat in the Assembly. Members were then called in alphabetical order to take the oath of office.
The first legislator to be sworn in was Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor of the Indian Union Muslim League.
While the ceremony followed constitutional procedure, the political atmosphere inside the Assembly reflected the scale of the transformation brought about by the April 2026 Assembly election.
The treasury benches, previously occupied by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), were now filled by legislators from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which secured a commanding victory in the election. The alliance now holds 102 seats in the 140 member House, giving it one of the strongest mandates in recent Kerala political history.
The mood on the ruling side was visibly upbeat, with legislators exchanging greetings and congratulations as the first sitting of the new Assembly got underway.
In contrast, the opposition benches presented a subdued picture. The opposition now consists of 38 legislators, including 35 from the LDF and three from the BJP.
The election result marked a steep decline for the Left alliance, which had held 99 seats in the outgoing Assembly. The coalition lost 64 sitting legislators in the polls, signalling a major reversal after governing the state for two consecutive terms under former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Political observers have interpreted the verdict as reflecting public dissatisfaction over governance and allegations of growing centralisation during the previous administration’s decade in office.
The new political hierarchy in the Assembly was also symbolically evident in the seating arrangement. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is listed at seat number 105, while former Chief Minister Vijayan now occupies seat number 133 as a member of the opposition.
Thursday’s proceedings also featured lighter moments outside the formalities of the House.
Senior BJP leaders Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V. Muraleedharan and B. B. Gopakumar walked together from Martyrs’ Corner to the Assembly complex, attracting attention from party workers and onlookers gathered in the area.
Congress legislator Chandy Oommen, who had frequently campaigned on a bicycle during the election campaign, continued the practice on the opening day of the Assembly session by cycling to the House for the oath taking ceremony.
The Assembly is expected to complete the swearing in of all newly elected members before moving on to the election of the Speaker and the commencement of regular legislative business in the coming days.
