Thiruvananthapuram: V.D. Satheesan has been sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday, bringing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) back to power in the state after 10 years.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan and his 20-member Council of Ministers at a ceremony held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
Along with Satheesan, the full 20-member Council of Ministers took oath on the same day, marking the first time in nearly six decades that an entire Kerala Cabinet has been sworn in together.
New Cabinet Mix
The Congress will hold 11 berths in the Cabinet, while the IUML have five members.
The Congress members are Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K. Muraleedharan, A.P. Anil Kumar, P.C. Vishnunadh, T. Siddique, Bindu Krishna, K.A. Thulasi, Roji M. John, M. Liju and O.J. Janeesh set to be sworn in.
Five IUML members are P.K. Kunhalikutty, N. Shamsudeen, K.M. Shaji, P.K. Basheer and V.E. Abdul Gafoor — will also take oath as ministers. The remaining UDF allies in the ministry are Mons Joseph of Kerala Congress (Joseph), Shibu Baby John of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, Anoop Jacob of Kerala Congress (Jacob) and C.P. John of the Communist Marxist Party.
Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge attended the event, along with chief ministers and leaders from several opposition-ruled states. Thousands of UDF workers and supporters gathered at the venue as the alliance formally assumed office after defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Assembly elections.
Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who now moves to the Opposition benches, was also present on the stage, along with BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in a show of political transition.
Key Portfolios
According to reports, Satheesan — who is a six-time Congress MLA — is expected to retain the Finance and Ports portfolios, while senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is likely to handle the Home department along with Vigilance. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph is expected to get the Revenue portfolio.
The UDF won a clear mandate in the elections, securing 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly and ending the LDF’s 10-year rule. Satheesan was widely seen as the main architect of the alliance’s comeback.
After several rounds of high-command talks involving senior leaders such as KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, Satheesan was chosen as the Congress Legislature Party leader.
