Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (UNI) Ending a decade-long wait and marking the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to power in Kerala, senior Congress leader V.D. Satheesan will today take oath as the 13th Chief Minister of the state in a massive swearing-in ceremony at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
Along with Satheesan, 20 ministers will also be sworn in, making it one of the biggest and most politically significant oath-taking ceremonies in recent Kerala history.
The swearing-in carries historic significance as this is the first time since the K. Karunakaran government in 1982 that the entire UDF Council of Ministers is taking oath (after 44 years) together.
The event is being projected by the UDF as the beginning of a “new political era” in Kerala after ten years of Left Democratic Front rule.
The oath ceremony, scheduled for around 10 am, has transformed the state capital into a massive celebration venue. Tens of thousands of UDF workers and supporters from across Kerala have already arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to witness the event.
Security has been tightened across the city with heavy police deployment, traffic restrictions, and special arrangements for the arrival of national leaders and dignitaries.
Though Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay is unlikely to attend, several top Congress leaders are expected to be present. Congress Parliamentary Party leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, and four Congress Chief Ministers are among those expected at the ceremony. The presence of the national leadership is being seen as a major endorsement of the new Kerala leadership under Satheesan.
Raj Bhavan has reportedly instructed organisers that only the Governor, the Chief Minister, and the ministers taking oath will be allowed on the main dais during the official proceedings.
Apart from V.D. Satheesan, those who will take oath as ministers are P.K. Kunhalikutty, Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K. Muraleedharan, Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, C.P. John, Anoop Jacob, A.P. Anil Kumar, Bindu Krishna, P.C. Vishnunath, M. Liju, T. Siddique, Roji M. John, O.J. Janish, K.A. Thulasi, P.K. Basheer, N. Shamsudheen, K.M. Shaji and V.E. Abdul Gafoor.
The first Cabinet meeting to be held immediately after the swearing-in is expected to witness a series of major welfare-oriented and people-centric announcements. Sources indicate that the new government is preparing several high-impact decisions aimed at ordinary citizens and economically weaker sections.
Among the major proposals likely to be discussed are an increase in the honorarium of ASHA workers, the statewide expansion of the “Indira Canteen” model based on the Kochi initiative, and a possible announcement regarding free bus travel for women in KSRTC services. The UDF leadership is reportedly keen to make a strong political statement through the very first Cabinet meeting itself.
The final list of ministers was prepared only on Sunday evening. V.D. Satheesan personally submitted the list of all 21 ministers, including himself, to Raj Bhavan at around 5 pm.
Even as the Cabinet formation has been completed, discussions regarding rotational ministerial arrangements within coalition partners continue. Talks had reportedly taken place regarding sharing a ministerial berth between Kerala Congress leader Anoop Jacob and Mani C. Kappan. However, both leaders are understood to have reservations regarding the arrangement. Despite this, the current understanding is that Anoop Jacob will take oath first.
In another unprecedented move, the Indian union Muslim League has also decided to introduce a rotational arrangement for a ministerial berth for the first time in its history. Since Kozhikode district did not get Cabinet representation, the League leadership has announced that Parakkal Abdulla will be inducted into the ministry after two-and-a-half years. However, the party has not yet disclosed which sitting minister would vacate the post at that stage.
The allocation of portfolios has also not been officially finalised. K. Muraleedharan, who reportedly declined the Power portfolio, is likely to be assigned the Health and Devaswom departments.
The new ministry also marks a major milestone in women’s representation within the UDF. For the first time in the front’s history, three women have been given Cabinet-rank positions. Bindu Krishna and K.A. Thulasi will serve as ministers, while Shanimol Usman is set to become Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
Shanimol’s elevation is historically significant as it is the first time since A. Nafeesath Beevi held the office during 1960–64 that a woman is becoming Deputy Speaker in Kerala.
Speaking about the Cabinet selection process, Satheesan admitted that many deserving leaders had to be left out due to multiple political and social considerations.
“There are many capable leaders outside the Cabinet who are more deserving than some who have made it into the ministry. Social circumstances, regional balance, women’s representation and several other factors had to be considered. The Congress examines all these aspects before taking decisions. It is painful that many had to be excluded because of these criteria,” Satheesan said.
One of the biggest surprises in the new Cabinet is the inclusion of Youth Congress state president O.J. Janish, a first-time MLA, as minister. Janish’s name had not figured prominently even in factional discussions within the Congress, making his elevation one of the most unexpected developments in the ministry formation.
The new Cabinet also reflects a strong generational shift. Out of the 21-member ministry, including the Chief Minister, as many as 16 are first-time ministers. P.K. Kunhalikutty and Ramesh Chennithala are the senior-most and most experienced leaders in the Cabinet. K. Muraleedharan, A.P. Anil Kumar, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob and Mons Joseph are among those who have served as ministers earlier, while the rest are newcomers to ministerial office.
Satheesan also used the occasion to outline his approach towards governance and media engagement. Responding to a question on whether he would remain accessible to the media after becoming Chief Minister, he said he had always faced journalists openly and would continue to do so.
“I should be criticised. The media need not speak only positively about me. My shortcomings should be pointed out. The media must function as a corrective force. We will move forward by correcting mistakes. I am a Nehruvian socialist. Do not create stories out of thin air. The UDF is ushering in a new era, and the media too has a responsibility in that,” Satheesan said.
He also dismissed allegations of factional pressure during Cabinet formation, saying no senior leader had attempted to influence the selection process.
“There were no group clashes or pressure tactics. The decisions were taken collectively. This was not a matter of bargaining or division of posts. That is why we were able to finalise the ministry within 24 hours,” he said.
Satheesan added that there was already broad consensus regarding portfolio allocation and that the final list would be handed over to the Governor after the swearing-in ceremony.
The Chief Minister-designate also addressed reports regarding the use of official vehicles and security arrangements. He clarified that he had never said he would avoid travelling in black cars.
“As Chief Minister, I will use whichever official vehicle is provided. It should not be interpreted as simplicity. In the current financial situation of Kerala, purchasing a new car for the Chief Minister would send the wrong message,” he said.
Satheesan further revealed that he had informed the police that he did not require more than three vehicles in his convoy. He also said he had requested officials to avoid escort vehicles, but the police did not permit that due to security considerations.
With massive public expectations, historic symbolism, welfare promises, and a largely fresh-faced ministry, the V.D. Satheesan-led government begins its tenure today amid intense political attention across Kerala and beyond.
UNI DS IM