VD Satheesan was sworn in as Chief Minister of Kerala. The leader officially assumes new responsibility The Congress-led government takes power after a short delay after the elections. Along with him, the 20-member Cabinet took oath at a ceremony officiated by Governor RV Arlikar.
Congress president Mallikarjun Karge, along with senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Follow live updates of the swearing-in ceremony here.
The leadership change comes in the wake of the Congress returning to power in Kerala after two successive terms of the Left Democratic Front, with Sathisean becoming the face of the party’s revival in the state. Internal discussions reportedly saw the central leadership favoring KC Venugopal for the top job before the consensus eventually shifted in Satheesan’s direction.
With the United Democratic Front returning to power in Kerala, the Congress is now in power in three southern states, including Karnataka and Telangana.
Sathisan’s elevation was completed after key political coordination between All India Bloc president Sonia Gandhi and veteran Congress leader AK Antony.
VD Satheesan Cabinet
The new government includes a mix of experienced ministers and new ministers. 11 members of Congress were recruited. This includes Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K Muralidharan, AP Anil Kumar, BC Vishnunad, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, T Siddiq, K Thulasi and OG Ganesh.
The Indian Muslim League (IUML), a key ally, secured five ministerial posts. PK Kunhalikutty, KM Shaji, V Abdul Ghafoor, N Shamsuddin and PK Bashir join the Cabinet.
Smaller alliance partners are also represented, including MNS Joseph of the Kerala Congress (JOSEPH), Shibu Baby John of the RSP, Anup Jacob of the Kerala Congress (JACOB), and CB John of the CPI(M). Fourteen of the ministers are first-time members of the Cabinet.
