VD Satheesan will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday along with a 20-member Cabinet, marking the return of the United Democratic Front (UDF) to power after a decade.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place in Thiruvananthapuram, days after the UDF registered a massive victory in the Kerala Assembly elections by winning 102 of the state's 140 seats. The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, secured 35 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party won three seats, its best-ever performance in the state.
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Cabinet formed after alliance discussions
Speaking after submitting the ministerial list to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Satheesan said the final names were decided after detailed consultations among alliance leaders.
Keralam Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan meets Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. ANI
"There are deserving leaders among the 63 MLAs of the Congress who we could not, unfortunately, accommodate. As a party, the Congress has to look at social and regional balance too. The list was formed after several rounds of consultations with senior UDF leaders," Satheesan was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
The Cabinet includes 11 ministers from the Congress and five from ally Indian Union Muslim League. Senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and AP Anil Kumar are among those inducted.
Chennithala is expected to handle the home and vigilance departments, while Muraleedharan is likely to get the health and temple affairs portfolios.
Focus on social and regional balance
The new Cabinet includes leaders from different communities and regions, with the Congress aiming to maintain social representation within the government.
First-time MLAs Bindhu Krishna and KA Thulasi will be the two women ministers in the cabinet. The lineup also includes representatives from the Nair, Ezhava, Scheduled Caste and Christian communities.
Satheesan dismissed reports of factional pressure during cabinet formation.
Keralam CM designate VD Satheesan meets Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan. ANI
āNo Congress leader pressurised (me) for a Cabinet berth. The leadership collectively finalised the names. The cabinet does not bear the stamp of any particular faction,ā he told HT.
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Senior leaders likely to attend ceremony
Several top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said the new government would focus on delivering the promises made during the election campaign.
"We will have one of the most capable teams as ministers in the UDF government," Venugopal said.
