VD Satheesan took the oath as the chief minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026 [1].

The transition marks a significant political shift in the state, ending a 10-year period of opposition for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) [5].

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram [2]. Satheesan, a six-time Congress member of the legislative assembly, led the UDF to a decisive victory in the state assembly elections [5]. The coalition secured 102 of the 140 available seats [3].

Along with the new chief minister, a cabinet consisting of 20 members was sworn in to lead the state government [3]. This victory allows the UDF to dismantle the previous administration's policies and implement its own legislative agenda after a decade away from power [5].

Supporters gathered at the stadium to witness the transition of power. The event signals a return to Congress-led governance in the region, shifting the political landscape of the southern state following the assembly results [3].

“The UDF coalition won 102 of 140 assembly seats.”

The return of the UDF after a decade suggests a voter mandate for a change in governance and policy direction in Kerala. With a substantial majority of 102 seats, the Satheesan administration possesses significant legislative leverage to enact its platform without facing the gridlock often associated with thinner margins.