VD Satheesan was sworn in as the chief minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026, at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram [1].

The transition marks a significant political shift in the state, as the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition successfully ended 10 years of rule by the Left Democratic Front [2].

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Satheesan and a 20-member cabinet [1]. The ceremony took place following a decisive election victory where the UDF coalition secured 102 of the 140 available seats [3].

Satheesan, a leader of the Congress party, assumes leadership of the state government after the UDF's strong performance at the polls. The new administration enters office with a substantial mandate, holding nearly 73% of the seats in the legislative assembly [3].

Attendees at the event included high-profile figures from the Congress and UDF, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Ramesh Chennithala [4]. The swearing-in ceremony at the Central Stadium served as the formal commencement of the new government's term [5].

The appointment of the 20 cabinet ministers marks the final step in the formation of the new executive branch [1]. This government now inherits the responsibility of governing a state that has seen a consistent ideological alignment for the previous decade [2].

“VD Satheesan was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026”

The victory of the UDF and the appointment of VD Satheesan signal a major ideological pivot for Kerala. By securing 102 seats, the Congress-led coalition has not only reclaimed power but established a commanding majority that may allow for more aggressive policy shifts away from the previous decade of Left Democratic Front governance.