UDF Government to be Sworn In Tomorrow in Kerala; VD Satheesan Submits List of 20 Ministers to Governor
Thiruvananthapuram, 17 May 2026: The picture of the new government in Kerala is now almost clear. UDF leader VD Satheesan announced on Sunday that the swearing‑in ceremony of the new UDF government will be held on Monday morning at 10 o’clock at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. On this occasion, VD Satheesan will take the oath as Chief Minister, and along with him a total of 21 ministers (including Satheesan) will take oath of office and secrecy.
VD Satheesan met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and submitted the final list of 20 ministers. The list includes senior leaders from UDF’s constituent parties—mainly the Congress, Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Janapaksham (Secular), and other allied parties. According to media reports, leaders such as Ramesh Chennithala, VD Satheesan, PC Vishnunath, M. Liju, Bindu Krishnappa and others are likely to be part of the cabinet and may be given key portfolios, though the final allocation of departments has not yet been officially announced.
A special feature of this moment is that it will be the first time in about 60 years that the entire UDF ministry is being sworn in together. Earlier, the swearing‑in of the Chief Minister and a few senior ministers used to take place in separate stages. Now, with the complete cabinet taking oath on the same day, preparations near the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence are being carried out with heavy crowd‑management and security arrangements.
Senior leaders from the Congress national leadership and several other political and public figures are expected to attend the swearing‑in ceremony. With the formation of this new ministry, discussions have intensified in Kerala on launching development schemes, economic reforms, and social‑justice‑oriented policies after the newly elected assembly.
