The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power in Kerala on Monday after a 10-year gap as senior Congress leader V.D. Satheesan took oath as the 13th Chief Minister in Thiruvananthapuram. The grand ceremony witnessed the presence of top national leaders, thousands of supporters and newly inducted ministers.
Quick Glance
- V.D. Satheesan became 13th Chief Minister of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Congress-led UDF returned to power after remaining out of office for a decade.
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge attended the ceremony.
- The new Cabinet includes 21 ministers, including 14 first-time ministers.
Congress-Led UDF Returns to Power in Kerala After 10 Years
Thiruvananthapuram: A new political chapter began in Kerala on Monday as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) formed the government after a decade in opposition. Senior Congress leader of Kerala, V.D. Satheesan took oath as 13th Chief Minister during a massive swearing-in ceremony at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The event turned into a celebration for Congress workers and UDF supporters. Thousands gathered at the venue from early morning. Many supporters waved party flags and raised slogans as soon as Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar announced Satheesan’s name.
The Congress victory has significant political importance because the party regained power after 10 years. The last Congress-led administration in Kerala was headed by late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in 2011.
Massive Crowd Marks Political Comeback
The atmosphere at the Central Stadium remained energetic throughout the ceremony. The venue, located near the Kerala Secretariat, quickly became overcrowded as supporters from different districts arrived in large numbers.
Many party workers described the occasion as an emotional political comeback for the Congress and the UDF alliance. The celebrations started before dawn in Thiruvananthapuram, highlighting the enthusiasm among party cadres.
Satheesan took oath in the name of God before a packed audience. The senior Congress leader, who will turn 62 later this week, acknowledged supporters after taking charge as Chief Minister.
National Leaders Attend Oath-Taking Ceremony
Several national and regional political leaders attended the high-profile ceremony. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge remained present on the dais.
Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also attended the event along with BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
The presence of Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states such as Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh reflected the national importance attached to the Kerala victory.
Senior Congress leaders and Left party representatives also participated in the ceremony, making it one of the most politically diverse oath-taking events in recent years.
New Kerala Cabinet Gets Fresh Faces
The newly formed Kerala ministry consists of 21 members. The Cabinet includes representatives from multiple alliance partners.
| Party | Number of Ministers |
|---|---|
| Congress | 12 |
| IUML | 5 |
| Kerala Congress | 1 |
| Kerala Congress (Jacob) | 1 |
| CMP | 1 |
| RSP | 1 |
Veteran IUML leader P. K. Kunhalikutty took oath immediately after Satheesan. Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Sunny Joseph also joined the new ministry.
Interestingly, 14 ministers took oath for the first time. Political observers believe the inclusion of several new faces could help the UDF project a modern and youthful image in Kerala politics.
Another notable development involves Mons Joseph, who earlier served in the V.S. Achuthanandan-led Left government between 2007 and 2009. He is the only minister in the current Cabinet with experience in a previous Left-led administration.
First Cabinet Meeting Focuses on Election Promises
Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, the newly formed Cabinet proceeded to the Kerala Secretariat for its first official meeting.
Sources indicated that the government may prioritise implementation of the five guarantees promised by Rahul Gandhi during the Assembly election campaign. Welfare measures, governance reforms and economic revival are expected to dominate the government’s early agenda.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan personally visited the airport to welcome national leaders arriving for the ceremony. Political analysts viewed the gesture as a calculated message aimed at showcasing unity within the Congress leadership.
Congress Victory Holds National Significance
The Kerala victory has strengthened the Congress politically at the national level. The party leadership sees the result as a major morale booster ahead of future electoral battles across India.
The UDF’s return to power also signals voter fatigue against the incumbent Left Democratic Front (LDF), which governed the state for the past decade under Pinarayi Vijayan.
Political experts believe Satheesan now faces the challenge of balancing governance, alliance management and delivery of election promises in a politically sensitive state like Kerala.