V D Satheesan on Monday was sworn in together with his 20-member council of ministers at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, officially signalling the UDF’s comeback to governance in Kerala after ten years. A number of top Congress figures, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge, besides chief ministers from Congress-governed states, were expected to be present at the function.
Before taking charge, Satheesan on Sunday met Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, leader of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and received his blessings. In a post shared on X, Satheesan stated that he remained dedicated to inclusive administration and Kerala’s progress, adding that the Cardinal’s remarks gave him “support and motivation”.
The incoming government is likely to feature a 21-member cabinet, including the chief minister. Congress is expected to keep 11 positions, while ally IUML may receive five ministerial slots. Leaders such as P K Kunhalikutty, K M Shaji and N Shamsuddeen are among those believed likely to join the cabinet, although talks over the final list and portfolio distribution continued late into Sunday night.
The cabinet formation has additionally sparked vigorous political debate within the UDF, with bargaining over representation and power-sharing persisting among alliance constituents ahead of the oath ceremony. Stay tuned with us for further updates from Thiruvananthapuram regarding the swearing-in event, cabinet composition and allocation of portfolios.