V D Satheesan, the chief minister-designate of Kerala, will take the oath of office on May 18, 2026 [1].

The ceremony marks the return of the Congress-led alliance to power after a 10-year interval [4]. This shift follows a decisive victory for the alliance in the recent Kerala assembly elections, ending a decade of opposition.

The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. [2] at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram [1]. Satheesan will be sworn in alongside his council of ministers, whose names have been finalized following the election results.

The selection of Satheesan as the chief ministerial candidate followed 11 days of internal discussions within the alliance [4]. These deliberations were necessary to align the various partners of the coalition before finalizing the leadership structure.

Senior national leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, are expected to attend the event [1]. The gathering at the Central Stadium is intended to signal the strength and unity of the incoming administration as it prepares to take over the state government.

The transition comes as the alliance prepares to implement its campaign promises after the prolonged period away from governance. The event on Monday will formally establish the new executive authority in the state.

“The Congress-led alliance returned to power after a 10-year interval”

The return of the Congress-led alliance after 10 years signifies a major political realignment in Kerala. The 11-day deliberation period suggests a complex negotiation process to balance coalition interests, and the presence of top national leadership underscores the strategic importance of this victory for the party's broader standing in India.