Thiruvananthapuram, May 18, 2026. The swearing-in ceremony for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala was held on Monday. V.D. Satheesan took the oath as Chief Minister. The ceremony took place at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram at 10:00 AM, attended by several senior leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The new government will assume office with a 21-member cabinet, comprising a total of 21 ministers, including the Chief Minister. The Congress party has secured 11 ministerial portfolios, including the post of Chief Minister. The proceedings commenced with a rendition of "Vande Mataram" sung in Malayalam, followed by the performance of the national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana."

Chief Minister Satheesan remarked that, after nearly 60 years, the entire cabinet in Kerala is taking the oath of office simultaneously. Prior to this, in 1962, the then Chief Minister R. Sankar had taken the oath along with his entire cabinet.

**Leaders Who Took the Oath as Ministers**
Among the ministers who took the oath alongside Satheesan were Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan, and KPCC Chief Sunny Joseph. Additionally, P.K. Kunhalikutty, P.K. Basheer, N. Shamsudheen, K.M. Shaji, and V.E. Abdul Gafoor—all from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)—have also been inducted into the cabinet.

Other ministers include Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, C.P. John, A.P. Anil Kumar, T. Siddique, P.C. Vishnunath, Rosy M. John, Bindu Krishna, M. Liju, K.A. Thulasi, and O.J. Janish.

**Announcement of Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker**
The Congress party has retained both the posts of Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has been appointed as the Assembly Speaker, while Shanimol Usman has been named the Deputy Speaker. The election for the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will be held on May 22, following the swearing-in of the MLAs. Meanwhile, the Governor's policy address is scheduled for May 29, and the State Budget is expected to be presented by June 5.