NEW DELHI: V D Satheesan took oath as Kerala chief minister on Monday at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, marking the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front to power after a decade.Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Satheesan and his 20-member council of ministers. Meanwhile, 14 ministers in the new cabinet are first-time ministers.Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge along with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several leaders from Congress-ruled states, attended the ceremony. Outgoing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar were also present on stage, with Satheesan greeting leaders across party lines after taking oath.The new cabinet includes senior Congress figures such as Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunny Joseph. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has five ministers in the government, including P K Kunhalikutty, K M Shaji, P K Basheer, N Shamsudheen and V E Abdul Gafoor.Other ministers include Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, C P John, A P Anilkumar, T Siddique, P C Vishnunadh, Roji M John, Bindhu Krishna, M Lijju, K A Thulasi and O J Janeesh. Satheesan also announced Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as Speaker, Shanimol Usman as Deputy Speaker and Apu John Joseph as Government Chief Whip.The UDF secured a decisive mandate in the assembly elections, winning 102 of Kerala’s 140 seats. Congress emerged as the single-largest party with 63 seats, while the IUML won 22. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) was reduced to 35 seats, while the BJP won three constituencies.Satheesan, widely credited with leading the Congress comeback in Kerala after two successive LDF terms, emerged as the chief ministerial choice after intense internal deliberations within the Congress. The party’s central leadership had reportedly favoured Congress general secretary K C Venugopal for the post, but strong backing from grassroots workers, the IUML and public sentiment eventually tilted the decision in Satheesan’s favour.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVD Satheesan To Be Sworn In As Kerala CM Today; 20-Member Cabinet To Take Oath“Idli is a culinary marvel, not to be confused with rasgulla,” says Tharoor in viral food debateSweden Confers ‘Royal Order Of Polar Star Commander Grand Cross’ On PM ModiPM Modi Invites Europe To Partner India’s Growth Journey, Pushes India-EU FTA In SwedenKolkata: Protest Against Demolition Drive Turns Violent In Park Circus, 3 Cops InjuredPM Modi Gets Bengali-Style Welcome In Sweden’s Gothenburg | WatchVD Satheesan Announces Kerala Cabinet Ahead Of Oath, IUML To Get 5 PostsWhy PM Modi Visited Afsluitdijk Dam In Netherlands: The Dutch Model India NeedsBhojshala Row Intensifies As Congress MP Digvijaya Singh Calls High Court Verdict “Vague”‘Lack Of Understanding About India’: MEA Hits Back At Dutch PM’s Remarks On Minorities123PhotostoriesJanhvi Kapoor’s home is all about adding persona in contemporary design: Art inspirations you can take awayWhat happens when you knead roti dough with paneer whey (paneer ka paani)How crickets are good for your garden (and why you shouldn’t kill them)10 high-protein air fryer snacks that take only 10 minutes6 things fathers should never do in front of their daughtersHollywood celebrities who fought skin cancer and changed their habits: Hugh Jackman, Gordon Ramsay and moreParents who constantly say “study harder” may unknowingly damage this one trait in childrenHow to grow mango plant in a pot (Simple step-by-step guide for beginners)Dad’s BP story does not have to become yours: Why genetics is only half the truth about hypertensionArt quote of the day by Sigmund Freud: “When inspiration doesn’t come, I go halfway to meet it”123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingAll Biomods in Subnautica 2Brittany mahomesFifa World Cup 2026Who is aj brown wifeKerala Board SSLC Result 2026IPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026Bengaluru RapeCBSE 2 Language RuleKerala CM Oath
NEW DELHI: V D Satheesan took oath as Kerala chief minister on Monday at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, marking the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front to power after a decade.Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Satheesan and his 20-member council of ministers. Meanwhile, 14 ministers in the new cabinet are first-time ministers.Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge along with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several leaders from Congress-ruled states, attended the ceremony. Outgoing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar were also present on stage, with Satheesan greeting leaders across party lines after taking oath.The new cabinet includes senior Congress figures such as Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunny Joseph. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has five ministers in the government, including P K Kunhalikutty, K M Shaji, P K Basheer, N Shamsudheen and V E Abdul Gafoor.Other ministers include Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, C P John, A P Anilkumar, T Siddique, P C Vishnunadh, Roji M John, Bindhu Krishna, M Lijju, K A Thulasi and O J Janeesh. Satheesan also announced Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as Speaker, Shanimol Usman as Deputy Speaker and Apu John Joseph as Government Chief Whip.The UDF secured a decisive mandate in the assembly elections, winning 102 of Kerala’s 140 seats. Congress emerged as the single-largest party with 63 seats, while the IUML won 22. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) was reduced to 35 seats, while the BJP won three constituencies.Satheesan, widely credited with leading the Congress comeback in Kerala after two successive LDF terms, emerged as the chief ministerial choice after intense internal deliberations within the Congress. The party’s central leadership had reportedly favoured Congress general secretary K C Venugopal for the post, but strong backing from grassroots workers, the IUML and public sentiment eventually tilted the decision in Satheesan’s favour.
