Ahead of VD Satheesan’s swearing-in as Kerala Chief Minister on Monday, May 18, 2026, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala announced he will assume the state’s Home portfolio, saying his priority is to restore law and order and improve administration after the United Democratic Front’s return to power. Satheesan is scheduled to take oath at 10:00 am at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram with his full Council of Ministers, marking the end of the Left Democratic Front’s decade-long rule.
Chennithala framed the change as a clear verdict by voters, saying “LDF has been rejected by the people of Kerala,” and stressing the government’s duty to perform. He confirmed he will take charge of the Home department and pledged to work for better governance and security across the state. He also said the new administration will implement the five guarantees announced by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The announcement follows intense internal deliberations within the Congress over state leadership, after days of speculation that included senior figures such as KC Venugopal and Chennithala himself. Ultimately, VD Satheesan — who has not previously held a ministerial post — emerged as the party’s choice for chief minister, edging out other contenders to lead the UDF government.
Satheesan’s 20-member cabinet, announced ahead of the swearing-in, blends senior Congress figures and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) partners. The list includes Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, alongside IUML leaders PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, N. Samsudheen, K.M. Shaji and V.E. Abdul Gafoor. Other ministers named are Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, C.P. John, A.P. Anil Kumar, T. Siddique, P.C. Vishnunath, Roji M. John, Bindu Krishna, M. Liju, K.A. Thulasi and O.J. Janeesh.
In assembly appointments, Satheesan has nominated senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as Speaker and Shanimol Usman as Deputy Speaker; MLA Apu John Joseph will serve as Government Chief Whip. The swearing-in follows the UDF’s decisive victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, where the alliance won 102 of the 140 seats. Within that tally, the Congress emerged as the single-largest party with 63 seats and the IUML took 22; the LDF won 35 seats and the BJP secured three constituencies.
Chennithala described the swearing-in as an “auspicious day” for Kerala and said the new government’s immediate focus will be on delivering the promised guarantees, strengthening administration and ensuring public safety as it begins its term.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kerala-government-swearing-in-ramesh-chennithala-claims-kerala-home-minister-post-ahead-of-vd-satheesan-oath-11510056#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-05-18 09:47:00
