Congress leader VD Satheesan took the oath as Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday morning [1].
The transition marks a significant political shift in the state, ending a decade of rule by the Left Democratic Front [2]. This change in leadership follows a decisive mandate for the United Democratic Front in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections [3].
Governor R.V. Arlekar administered the oath to Satheesan [4]. Prior to the formal ceremony, the Governor met with Satheesan at Lok Bhavan [5]. The swearing-in ceremony took place at 10 a.m. [6] at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram [7].
The new administration consists of a cabinet featuring 20 ministers [8]. Of these positions, 11 ministerial berths were allocated to the Congress party [9], while the remaining nine were distributed among UDF allies [10].
The event was attended by high-profile leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi [11]. The atmosphere at the stadium was marked by cheers and slogans as the UDF officially assumed power [12].
This government succeeds a Left Democratic Front administration that held power for 10 years [13]. The shift is viewed as the beginning of a new chapter for the Congress party in the region [12].
“VD Satheesan took the oath as Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday morning”
The victory of the United Democratic Front represents a major electoral reversal in Kerala, breaking a long-term stronghold of the Left Democratic Front. By securing a decisive mandate and installing a 20-member cabinet with a strong Congress core, the UDF now holds the opportunity to pivot state policy away from the previous decade's ideological framework.
