VD Satheesan Sworn In As Keralam CM: UDF Government Takes Charge With 20 Ministers

VD Satheesan took the oath as the 13th Chief Minister of Keralam today, marking the beginning of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government. Accompanied by 20 cabinet ministers, the ceremony was attended by top Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, following a landslide victory in the state elections.

A new political era has commenced in Keralam as VD Satheesan officially took the oath of office as the Chief Minister today. This transition marks a significant shift in the state's governance as the United Democratic Front (UDF) assumes power. VD Satheesan has become the 13th Chief Minister of the state, leading a cabinet that promises a blend of experience and fresh perspectives. Along with the Chief Minister, 20 MLAs were also sworn in as ministers to form the new state cabinet. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in a grand ceremony that saw the participation of several high-profile political figures.

High-Profile Attendance at the Swearing-In Ceremony

The swearing-in ceremony was a major event attended by the top brass of the Indian National Congress and other political parties. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were present to witness the formation of the new government. The event also saw the presence of Chief Ministers from various Congress-ruled states, showing a united front. Interestingly, the ceremony was also attended by the outgoing Chief Minister of Keralam, Pinarayi Vijayan, along with other Left leaders and representatives from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), highlighting the democratic traditions of the state.

Cabinet Composition and Diversity

The new cabinet led by VD Satheesan consists of 20 ministers, reflecting a strategic selection process aimed at maintaining social and regional balance. Out of the 20 ministers, 14 are new faces, indicating a significant generational shift within the leadership. The cabinet also includes two women ministers and two representatives from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, ensuring diverse representation in the decision-making process. VD Satheesan emphasized that the list of ministers was finalized after extensive discussions with alliance partners to ensure that all regions and social groups were adequately represented.

Election Results and Seat Distribution

The formation of the UDF government follows the state elections held on April 9, with the results being declared on May 4. The UDF, under the leadership of the Congress, secured a massive mandate by winning 102 seats in the assembly. In contrast, the LDF managed to win 35 seats, while the BJP secured 3 seats. The detailed seat equation within the UDF and other parties is as follows: the Congress won 63 seats, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) secured 22 seats, the CPM won 26 seats, and the CPI took 08 seats. Other parties like the Kerala Congress won 07 seats, the RSP secured 03 seats, the RMPI won 01 seat, and the Kerala Congress (Jacob) also secured 01 seat.

Key Ministerial Appointments and Portfolios

The Congress party will have five ministers in the new cabinet, including senior leaders such as Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, and Sunny Joseph. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has also finalized its list of five ministers. IUML chief Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal announced in a press conference that PK Kunhalikutty, N Shamsudheen, KM Shaji, PK Basheer, and VE Abdul Gafoor will represent the party in the new government. On top of that, the UDF has nominated senior MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as the Speaker of the Assembly, while Shanimol Usman will serve as the Deputy Speaker.

Satheesan on the Selection Process

Chief Minister VD Satheesan acknowledged the difficulty in selecting the cabinet members, noting that despite the Congress winning 63 seats, many qualified leaders couldn't be accommodated in the ministry. He described the election result as one of the biggest victories for the party in the state. Satheesan stated, "There are many qualified leaders both inside and outside the list. " He also mentioned that discussions regarding the allocation of portfolios among alliance partners are nearly complete, with only minor issues pending, and the final list will be officially notified through the government gazette after the Governor's approval.