V.D. Satheesan was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026, at a grand ceremony held at the packed Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan and his 20-member council of ministers over a one-hour ceremony that commenced around 10:15 a.m. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) scripted a landslide victory over the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front in the April 9 Assembly elections, winning 102 of the 140 seats in the State Assembly, ending a decade of LDF rule and marking the UDF's return to power.
Satheesan, 61, who served as Leader of the Opposition during 2021–2026, became the first to be sworn in. The ceremony concluded around 11:30 a.m. with the recital of Vande Mataram followed by the National Anthem. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several leaders from Congress-ruled states, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, attended the event. Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is set to become Kerala's new Opposition Leader, was also present on stage along with BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
From Student Politics to Chief Minister: A Five-Decade Journey
V.D. Satheesan was born on May 31, 1964, at Nettoor in Ernakulam district (Maradu Municipality) as the fourth son of Vadassery Damodara Menon and Smt. V. Vilasini Amma. He entered public life through the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Indian National Congress, during his college days and rose to leadership ranks through student politics in Kerala. He served as University Union Councillor at Rajagiri College, Kalamassery, and later as Chairman of the Mahatma Gandhi University Union during 1986–1987. He was also actively associated as a Union Councillor in both Mahatma Gandhi University and the University of Kerala.
Satheesan completed his primary education at Nettoor S.V.U.P School and passed SSLC from Panangad High School. He completed his Pre-Degree and Degree studies from Sacred Heart College, Thevara, and later obtained an MSW degree from Rajagiri College, Kalamassery. He earned his LL.B degree from Thiruvananthapuram Law Academy and obtained a Master's Degree in Law from Government Law College. Alongside political activities, Satheesan practiced as an advocate in the Kerala High Court for nearly ten years and held leadership positions in several trade unions affiliated with the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC).
Historic Distinction: Sixth Leader to Become CM Without Prior Ministerial Experience
Satheesan was first elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2001 from the Paravur Assembly Constituency and has been continuously re-elected in the Assembly elections held in 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021, and 2026. He holds the distinction of being the sixth political leader in Kerala to assume the office of Chief Minister without previously serving as a Minister in the State Cabinet. He is also the first Congress Chief Minister from Ernakulam district, representing a significant shift in the party's leadership geography.
In the 12th Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2006, he served as the Chief Whip of the Indian National Congress. In 2013, he was appointed as the AICC Secretary in charge of Tamil Nadu, and in 2014, he was appointed Vice President of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). Satheesan has emerged as a prominent public leader through his active involvement in student politics, the legal profession, organizational activities, and legislative responsibilities. Through his commitment to democratic values, social justice, and people-oriented development, he has secured a significant place in the public life of Kerala.
A Complete Cabinet After 60 Years with Focus on Austerity
Satheesan announced that a "complete Cabinet" was being sworn in at one go for the first time in 60 years. The Cabinet includes two women and two ministers from the Scheduled Castes, reflecting a commitment to social representation. The Congress has 12 members in the Cabinet, including the Chief Minister. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has five Ministers, while Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Jacob), RSP, and CMP have one each. As many as 14 members of the cabinet are new faces, bringing fresh energy to the government.
Senior Congress figures in the cabinet include Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, and Kerala Pradesh Congress Congress chief Sunny Joseph. The IUML ministers include P.K. Kunhalikutty, K.M. Shaji, P.K. Basheer, N. Shamsudheen, and V.E. Abdul Gafoor. Other ministers include Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John (Revolutionary Socialist Party), Anoop Jacob (Kerala Congress-Jacob), C.P. John (Communist Marxist Party), A.P. Anil Kumar, P.C. Vishnunadh, Roji M. John, Bindu Krishna, M. Liju, T. Siddique, K.A. Thulasi, and O.J. Janeesh. All except Shibu Baby John and C.P. John took the oath in the name of God, with the two making solemn affirmation of their commitment.
In keeping with austerity measures for the state, Satheesan has ordered that there be no convoys, security vehicles, or ambulances. He has also said he would not require a new vehicle, setting an example of frugal governance. The portfolios of the Chief Minister and Ministers were made public later on Monday, with Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan announced as Speaker and Shanimol Usman as Deputy Speaker.
Building Puthuyuga Keralam: Vision for a New Era
Satheesan stated that the UDF government was committed to working towards building a "Puthuyuga Keralam" (New Era Kerala). Following the declaration of election results on May 4, the Congress party took ten days to pick Satheesan over Ramesh Chennithala and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal as the Congress Legislative Party leader and CM-designate. After that, the entire focus shifted to Cabinet formation, with discussions stretching into Sunday afternoon before Satheesan presented the list of ministers to the Governor on May 17 evening.
The swearing-in ceremony witnessed huge crowds gathering at Central Stadium since early morning. Extensive arrangements, including traffic regulations, were in place across the State capital. Among those present were AICC General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Deepa Dasmunshi, CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam, and numerous other dignitaries. Rahul Gandhi greeted the new Chief Minister with a warm hug after Satheesan repeated the oath and signed the oath books.
Satheesan's Rise Reshapes Kerala Political Landscape
Satheesan's emergence as Chief Minister marks a significant moment for Kerala politics, the Congress party, and the Muslim League. Following CPI(M)'s Pinarayi Vijayan's 10-year tenure, the UDF's landslide victory with 102 seats demonstrates a strong public desire for change. Satheesan's fiery tenure as Opposition Leader from 2021 to 2026 prepared him for this leadership role, where he consistently challenged the LDF government on governance, economy, and social issues.
His selection over other aspirants like Chennithala and K.C. Venugopal after 10 days of deliberation reflects the party's confidence in his organizational skills, legislative experience, and mass connect. Satheesan's legal background, trade union experience, and continuous representation of Paravur constituency since 2001 have given him a deep understanding of Kerala's diverse electorate. His ability to balance Congress's secular ideology with pragmatic coalition management will be tested as he governs a state known for its politically aware citizenry.
The new government faces challenges, including economic recovery, employment generation, infrastructure development, and maintaining Kerala's high human development while addressing fiscal constraints. Satheesan's commitment to austerity, represented by his refusal of a convoy and a new vehicle, signals his approach to responsible governance. As Kerala's 13th Chief Minister, V.D. Satheesan now carries the responsibility of delivering on UDF's promises and building the "Puthuyuga Keralam" that inspires hope across the state.
