Kerala Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan on Sunday (May 17, 2026) announced his ministerial team ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in the State. Mr. Satheesan said the list of Ministers had been finalised after discussions among alliance leaders, taking into account social and regional balance within the coalition.
He said senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and Sunny Joseph would be inducted as ministers. The UDF also decided to appoint senior legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as Speaker of the Assembly, while Shanimol Usman will serve as Deputy Speaker. Mr. Satheesan said many deserving leaders could not be accommodated in the Cabinet despite the Congress securing 63 seats, describing it as one of the party’s biggest victories in the State.
“There are many deserving leaders both within and outside the list. But a party like the Congress has to consider social balance, regional representation and several other factors while taking such decisions,” he said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan arrived at the airport in Thiruvananthapuram to welcome dignitaries attending the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states and several senior leaders are expected to attend the event. Satheesan is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala at 10 am at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram along with his full Council of Ministers, marking the return of the UDF to power after a decade.
The 20-member Cabinet includes senior Congress leaders K Muraleedharan and Sunny Joseph, along with Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, N Samsudheen, KM Shaji and VE Abdul Gafoor. Other ministers in the Cabinet are Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, CP John, AP Anil Kumar, T Siddique, PC Vishnunath, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, M Liju, KA Thulasi and O J Janeesh. Satheesan has also announced that senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will serve as Speaker of the Assembly, while Shanimol Usman will be the Deputy Speaker. MLA Apu John Joseph has been appointed as the Government Chief Whip.
