POLIQ
Indian Diaspora
Kerala Politics
V D Satheesan Takes Helm as Kerala's 13th Chief Minister
V. D. Satheesan was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026, marking the United Democratic Front's (UDF) return to power after a decade. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan and his 20-member cabinet during a ceremony at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The Congress-led UDF secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, ending the Left Democratic Front's rule. Satheesan, who previously served as the Leader of Opposition from 2021 to 2026, emerged as a key figure in the Congress's comeback in the state. Several prominent leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, attended the event.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
V. D. Satheesan became the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power after winning the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath to Satheesan and 20 other ministers.
Satheesan previously held the position of Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
WHY IT MATTERS
This leadership transition signifies a major political shift in Kerala, concluding the Left Democratic Front's ten-year tenure and potentially reshaping the state's policy direction and governance for the next five years.