VD Satheesan, Senior Congress Leader, Set To Become Next Kerala CM After UDF’s Massive Election Victory

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, is set to become the next Chief Minister of Kerala, Kerala Congress in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi announced on Thursday.

The announcement comes after the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a sweeping victory in the recently concluded Kerala Assembly elections, winning 102 out of the 140 seats in the state Assembly.

Celebrations At VD Satheesan's House After Announcement

Shortly after the announcement, celebrations began at the residence of VD Satheesan as Congress named him the Chief Minister of Kerala. Several supporters and closed ones of him began dancing and raising slogans in his support after the announcement.

Satheesan, who emerged as the key face of the UDF’s election campaign, won from the North Paravoor constituency in Ernakulam district. His leadership during the campaign was widely credited for helping the opposition alliance stage a strong comeback in the state.

Who Were Among Front Runners?

Several senior Congress leaders were being considered for the top post following the election results, including K. C. Venugopal and veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala. However, the party leadership eventually backed Satheesan for the chief ministerial role.

The Congress emerged as the single largest party in Kerala with 63 seats, majorly strengthening its position within the UDF alliance. Meanwhile, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which had secured 99 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections, was reduced to just 35 seats this time.

The election result marks a major political shift in Kerala, where the LDF had retained power in 2021 in a historic consecutive victory. The UDF’s emphatic mandate this year is being viewed as a strong endorsement of the opposition alliance’s campaign and leadership strategy. The formal announcement regarding Satheesan’s swearing-in ceremony and cabinet formation is expected in the coming days.