VD Satheesan sworn in as Kerala Chief Minister with 20-member cabinet

Congress leader VD Satheesan took an oath as Kerala Chief Minister on Monday along with 20 cabinet members in Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, bringing an end to days of uncertainty over the leadership of the new Congress-led government in the state. Governor RV Arlekar administered the oath of office.

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi were present at the swearing-in ceremony of the Keralam government.

Congress leader VD Satheesan takes oath as Chief Minister of Keralam at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram pic.twitter.com/I7zrNz5hyK

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Congress MP KC Venugopal, Congress leaders Deepa Dasmunsi and former CM of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel, and Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar attended the ceremony.

Satheesan emerged as the face of the Congress comeback in Kerala after the party ended the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) back-to-back terms in power. Although many within the state unit saw him as the natural choice for the top post, the Congress central leadership had reportedly preferred KC Venugopal, the party’s General Secretary of organisation.

Leadership choice followed days of discussions

According to reports, most Congress MLAs had backed the central leadership’s preference for Venugopal. However, Satheesan received support from the public as well as the Congress ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

The leadership debate also triggered visible tensions within the party. Posters supporting Satheesan appeared in parts of Kerala, reportedly upsetting Congress leaders in Delhi. There were also threats directed at Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Wayanad, warning that the constituency could “do an Amethi” in the next election. The matter has since reached court.

A phone conversation between INDIA bloc chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Kerala Chief Minister AK Antony eventually cleared the way for Satheesan’s appointment.

New cabinet includes several fresh faces

Eleven ministers from the Congress took oath alongside Satheesan. They include Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K Muraleedharan, AP Anil Kumar, PC Vishnunadh, Roji M John, Bindhu Krishna, M Liju, T Siddique, KA Thulasi and OJ Janeesh.

Congress ally IUML has secured five cabinet berths, with PK Kunhalikutyy, KM Shaji, V Abdul Gafoor, N Shamsuddin and PK Basheer joining the ministry.

The cabinet also includes Mons Joseph from Kerala Congress-Joseph, Shibu Baby John from the Revolutionary Socialist Party, Anoop Jacob from Kerala Congress-Jacob and CP John from the Communist Marxist Party.

As many as 14 members of the cabinet are first-time ministers. The list includes CP John, IUML leaders N Shamsuddin, K M Shaji, PK Basheer and VE Abdul Gafoor, along with Congress leaders P C Vishnunadh, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, T Siddique, K A Thulasi and O J Janeesh.

Satheesan signals austerity measures

Unlike Venugopal, Satheesan does not have prior administrative experience and has become Kerala’s first Chief Minister to assume office without having held a government administrative role before.

Even before formally taking charge, Satheesan announced several austerity measures aimed at reducing government spending and curbing VIP culture in the state.

During his time in the opposition and throughout the election campaign, Satheesan repeatedly highlighted Kerala’s financial difficulties. He has now proposed measures that include ending the large VIP convoy system often associated with ministers and senior officials.

The Chief Minister said he would travel only with a pilot vehicle and a single escort car, without additional security vehicles or ambulances.

He has also rejected the long-standing practice of purchasing new luxury vehicles for ministers whenever a new government takes office. According to Satheesan, ministers, including the Chief Minister, will continue using vehicles allotted during the previous administration.