V D Satheesan took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram [2, 4].
The transition of power marks a significant political shift in the state, ending 10 years of rule by the Left Democratic Front [3].
Satheesan assumed leadership after the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, winning 102 out of 140 seats [2]. Party leadership selected Satheesan for the role following his tenure as the leader of the opposition [2].
During the ceremony, Satheesan said he announced a 20-member cabinet to lead the UDF government [1]. Among those sworn in as cabinet members was senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala [1].
The event drew high-profile attendees, including Rahul Gandhi, Vijay Siddaramaiah, and Revanth Reddy [1]. The swearing-in ceremony serves as the formal commencement of the new administration's term following the May 18, 2026, proceedings [5].
This administration inherits a political landscape reshaped by the UDF's substantial mandate. The move to appoint a 20-member cabinet suggests an intent to distribute portfolios across the coalition's diverse interests, while consolidating the party's hold on the state's executive branch.
“V D Satheesan took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Kerala”
The UDF's victory and Satheesan's appointment signal a break from a decade of Left-wing governance in Kerala. By securing 102 seats, the new government holds a commanding majority, providing it with significant legislative leverage to implement its policy agenda without the instability often associated with thinner margins in coalition governments.
