V.D. Satheesan Sworn In as Kerala CM; 21-Member Cabinet Takes Oath in Historic Ceremony

May 18, 2026

The event marks the return of the UDF to power in Kerala after a gap of 10 years, following its decisive victory in the Assembly elections.

Ministers Take Oath During Cabinet Formation

T Siddique, KA Thulasi and O J Janeesh take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram: T Siddique, KA Thulasi and O J Janeesh take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/ItnjLBI7Aw

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

N. Samsudheen, PC Vishnunath, Roji M John and Bindu Krishna, M Liju, KM Shaji, PK Basheer and VE Abdul Gafoor take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram: M Liju, KM Shaji, PK Basheer and VE Abdul Gafoor take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/0Gx1rYWN11

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram: N. Samsudheen, PC Vishnunath, Roji M John and Bindu Krishna take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/OSiUDJx9rw

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, CP John and AP Anil Kumar take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

PK Kunhalikutty, Sunny Joseph, K Muraleedharan and Mons Joseph take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram: PK Kunhalikutty, Sunny Joseph, K Muraleedharan and Mons Joseph take oath as cabinet ministers in the Keralam government led by VD Satheesan

(Source: PRD pic.twitter.com/PwgZ7VuNwO

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

Chief Minister VD Satheesan, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, congratulate Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on taking oath as a Cabinet Minister in the Keralam government.

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister VD Satheesan, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, congratulate Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on taking oath as a Cabinet Minister in the Keralam government.

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/rXJcRU5uiO

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala takes oath as cabinet minister in the Keralam government led by Chief Minister VD Satheesan

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala takes oath as cabinet minister in the Keralam government led by Chief Minister VD Satheesan

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/gIRqkqvWox

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

Greeting Leaders Right after Taking oath

VD Satheesan and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi share a hug and greets party president Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders present on the stage after taking oath as Chief Minister of Keralam

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: VD Satheesan greets party president Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders present on the stage after taking oath as Chief Minister of Keralam

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/Cxk3ZfJY1u

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: VD Satheesan and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi share a hug after Satheesan took oath as Chief Minister of Keralam

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/IJPSyjepjo

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

VD Satheesan Taking Oath as CM 

Keralam Governor ‘Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’ congratulates ‘VD Satheesan’ after he took oath as Chief Minister of Keralam….

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar congratulates VD Satheesan after he took oath as Chief Minister of Keralam

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/Czm9GLY8iV

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

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

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar arrives at the Central Stadium for the swearing-in ceremony of the Keralam government

(Source: PRD) pic.twitter.com/AyiCF5EnYT

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam: Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan and Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala at the Central Stadium, where the swearing-in ceremony of the Keralam government will take place shortly. pic.twitter.com/fMQ8yWlgfA

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026

Top Congress Leaders Expected to Attend

Several senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with chief ministers from Congress-ruled states, are expected to attend the ceremony.

Security arrangements have been strengthened in and around the venue ahead of the high-profile event.

Cabinet Formation and Power Sharing

The new administration will assume office with a 21-member cabinet, including the chief minister. According to political sources, the Congress is likely to secure 11 ministerial posts, including the chief minister’s position.

Coalition partner Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is expected to receive five ministerial berths. Names such as P.K. Kunhalikutty, K.M. Shaji, N. Shamsuddeen, and Parakkal Abdulla are under consideration. However, internal differences have reportedly emerged over the inclusion of P.K. Basheer.

Satheesan Meets Religious Leader Ahead of Oath

A day before taking the oath, Satheesan met Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis (Cleemis Bava), the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, in Thiruvananthapuram.

In a post on X, Satheesan said he received blessings and described the meeting as a source of “strength and encouragement.” He also reiterated his commitment to inclusive governance and development-focused administration.