Congress returns to power in Kerala; Satheesan sworn in as Chief Minister
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Thiruvananthapuram: A thunderous roar echoed through the packed Central Stadium on Monday morning as V.D. Satheesan was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala, marking the Congress led UDF’s return to power after a gap of 10 years.
When Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar announced Satheesan’s name, the crowd erupted into prolonged cheers, with party workers waving flags and chanting slogans to celebrate the Congress comeback. For many workers and supporters, it was a long awaited political homecoming.
The last Congress led UDF government in Kerala was headed by the late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who took oath in 2011. The swearing in ceremony at the Central Stadium, located just a short distance from the Secretariat, carried both political symbolism and emotional weight.
Satheesan, who turns 62 this Sunday, took the oath in the name of God as thousands watched from inside and outside the overflowing venue. Breaking from established convention, several national and state political leaders shared the dais with Satheesan and his 20 Cabinet colleagues.
Present were Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, State BJP president and newly elected MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar, secretaries of both Communist parties, and senior Congress veterans. Chief Ministers from Congress ruled Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh were also seated on the dais, underscoring the national importance the Congress leadership attaches to the Kerala victory.
Senior IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty was the second to take oath, followed by senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Sunny Joseph. The 21 member ministry includes 12 ministers from the Congress, five from the IUML, and one each from Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Jacob), CMP and RSP.
The festive mood was evident from dawn, as supporters poured into the capital in large numbers. The stadium quickly overflowed, leaving many unable to enter.
Mons Joseph becomes the only minister in the new Cabinet who had previously served under the Left led government of V.S. Achuthanandan between 2007 and 2009, when his then party, Kerala Congress (Joseph), was aligned with the LDF. For 14 of the 21 ministers, Monday marked their first oath taking as ministers, lending the Cabinet a distinctly fresh face.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan personally received visiting dignitaries at the airport, setting the tone for a day rich in symbolism and political messaging. After the customary tea reception, the newly sworn in Cabinet proceeded to the Secretariat for its first meeting, where key decisions — including the implementation of the five guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi during the election campaign — are expected to be taken up.
(Inputs from IANS)