Kerala CM decision highlights: VD Satheesan meets Kerala governor, hands over letter of support

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Keralam Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan on Thursday said he visited senior Congress leader VM Sudheeran to seek his blessings after the Congress officially announced him as the next Chief Minister following the UDF's sweeping victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Speaking to the reporters, Satheesan said, "I came to seek the blessings of VM Sudheeran. He is like a mentor to me. I was fortunate to serve as Vice President when he was the President. He is someone who has the authority to scold and correct me."

Earlier in the day, the Congress officially announced that VD Satheesean, whose leadership helped the UDF alliance sweep back to power in Keralam, has been appointed as the chief minister.

The six-time MLA from Peravoor, Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan, who turns 62 at the end of this month, had steered the United Democratic Front's (UDF) landslide victory in the 2026 Assembly Elections, where the alliance secured a thumping 102 seats in the 140-member house.

Satheesan is regarded as one of the senior-most leaders in the Kerala Congress unit and has served as the Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Kerala CM-designate V D Satheesan arrives at Lok Bhavan to stake claim to form government

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Senior Congress leader AK Antony on Thursday extended his support to Keralam Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan after meeting him in Thiruvananthapuram, expressing confidence in his leadership and outlining expectations for the state's development trajectory.

Speaking to ANI, Antony said he wished Satheesan success and hoped that under his leadership, Keralam would emerge as one of the most developed states in South India in terms of both development and welfare measures.

"I wish him success. I wish that during his tenure, he must be able to take Kerala as one of the best-developed states in South India in development and welfare measures. And I fully support the decision taken by the Congress high command with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to take this decision. So I fully support this," Antony said.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday congratulated VD Satheesan on being named the Chief Minister of Kerala, calling it a "richly deserved recognition" of his leadership, dedication, and service to the party and the people of the state.

He said he was delighted by Satheesan's appointment and recalled campaigning alongside him during the Assembly elections.

He also stressed that the United Democratic Front's (UDF) victory was a collective mandate for the alliance and called on all senior leaders and alliance partners to work together to meet the expectations of the people of the state.

In a post on X, Tharoor wrote, "Heartiest congratulations to Shri @VDSatheesan ji on being named leader of the Congress Legislature Party and Chief Minister-designate of Kerala -- a richly deserved recognition of his tenacity, conviction, and years of dedicated service to our party and people. I campaigned alongside him and am delighted by his richly deserved appointment."

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday said that Congress workers wanted VD Satheesan to become the Keralam Chief Minister, and alleged another frontrunner for the post, KC Venugopal, attempted to influence the decision along with the party high command.

VD Satheesan is poised to become the Keralam Chief Minister after the Congress announced him as the Legislative Party leader. KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala were also in the fray for the top post.

Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said, "Many workers wanted Satheesan to become the CM. However, through the high command, KC Venugopal tried to influence the process."

However, he declined to make further comments on the internal affairs of the party, stating that he did not wish to interfere in their organisational matters. "But I don't want to comment on their party issues," Kumaraswamy added.

via ANI

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: The CLP on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution electing Kerala chief minister-designate V D Satheesan as its leader in the Assembly, party sources said.

The resolution was moved in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held in the Assembly here by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph and seconded by senior party leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, the sources said.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala was absent from the meeting, but he gave a letter supporting Satheesan, the sources added.

The CLP meeting was held following the All India Congress Committee (AICC) announcing in the afternoon that Satheesan will be the CM.

Party sources further said that the party leaders will meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to hand over the UDF alliance partners' letters supporting them.

via PTI

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Congress leader VD Satheesan is likely to take oath as Kerala chief minister on May 18, along with 21 ministers.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday was elected as the CPI(M) legislature party leader, sources said.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the CPI(M) state committee held here, according to a statement.

The meeting was attended by CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and senior leaders A Vijayaraghavan and Pinarayi Vijayan, and was presided over by K Radhakrishnan, it said.

After being elected as the CPI(M) legislature party leader, Vijayan is likely to be chosen as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.

Vijayan, a two-time CM, lost power after the LDF was defeated in the recent state Assembly elections.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday hailed the appointment of V D Satheesan as the next Kerala CM, saying it was a well-deserved recognition of decades of public service and principled politics.

Reddy said the Telangana government looks forward to working closely with the new government of Kerala on matters of mutual interest, particularly in the areas of investment promotion, skill development, tourism, knowledge exchange and cooperative federalism.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Telangana, I extend my best wishes to V D Satheesan and the people of Kerala for a tenure marked by progress, prosperity and the further deepening of Kerala's proud democratic traditions," Reddy said in a release.

He observed that the people of Kerala have, through the recently concluded Assembly elections, reaffirmed their faith in the values of democracy, social justice and inclusive development by entrusting the UDF with the mandate to govern the state.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed on Thursday welcomed the party's decision to appoint VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Keralam, calling it a "very good decision".

She added that the Congress leadership, under Rahul Gandhi and the party president, had consulted MLAs, people of Kerala, and alliance partners before arriving at the final decision.

The Congress on Wednesday officially named VD Satheesan as the Chief Minister following the United Democratic Front's (UDF) return to power in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The announcement came after more than 10 days of deliberations and speculation over the party's leadership choice.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Shama Mohamed said the decision reflected the collective opinion of the party leadership and alliance stakeholders.

"It's a very good decision. It's the decision taken by the high command... As you have seen, KC ji (K.C. Venugopal) has accepted the decision. All of us will accept the decision of the high command, of Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress President," she said.

"We are very happy with the decision. The high command has taken everyone into confidence--the MLAs, the people of Kerala, and the alliance partners--and that's how we have come to this final decision," she added.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: After the AICC announced V D Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala, he visited senior Congress leader A K Antony, who advised him to proceed carefully while recounting his own experiences as head of the government in 2001, news agency PTI reported.

Antony served as the Chief Minister of Kerala thrice.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: After days of hectic backchannel negotiations, factional lobbying and intense power play within the Congress, the party finally picked VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala on Thursday. The announcement, made in New Delhi by AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, brought the curtain down on a bruising power struggle between Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.

But from slogan-shouting workers on the streets of Wayanad to warning posters aimed at Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Rahul Gandhi’s 40-minute meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge – the decision for Kerala’s top post was not an easy one.

Read more here

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: After V D Satheesan was named as the Chief Minister of Kerala by the AICC on Thursday, the BJP in Kerala alleged that the state would be effectively governed by the IUML for the next five years.

The BJP shared multiple memes through its official social media pages targeting the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leadership.

In one such meme shared on the BJP Kerala Facebook page, IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal was depicted at the centre, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge shown bowing before him, while Satheesan was portrayed as fanning him.

In a Facebook post, the BJP claimed that, despite not having majority support among Congress MLAs, Satheesan was chosen under pressure from the IUML.

The post further alleged that the IUML was seeking to push its demands, including that of a "new religious district", and required a leadership that would comply with its interests.

It referred to the division of Malappuram district proposed by some local IUML leaders.

"The real decision-making centre of the Congress was not in New Delhi but at Panakkad House," the post said, referring to the Thangal family associated with the IUML.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Outgoing Leader of the Opposition in Kerala assembly VD Satheesan was named as the new chief minister of Kerala, eleven days after the poll results were declared on May 4. Deepa Dasmunshi, general secretary in charge of Kerala announced, “The Congress legislature party met at Thiruvananthapuram and unanimously authorised Congress president to select the CLP leader. Congress president held extensive discussions with the Congress parliamentary party leader (Sonia Gandhi) and Leader of the Opposition (Rahul Gandhi) and many other leaders including former PCC chiefs. Based on all these discussions it has been decided that VD Satheesan has been appointed as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party.”

According to a senior Congress leader, while KC Venugopal was the preferred choice of the Congress leadership, especially Rahul Gandhi, Satheesan garnered public support and had the backing of the party organization and allies including Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

On Thursday morning, Venugopal met former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

Earlier, it was planned to announce the CM at a Congress legislative party meeting in Kerala but the party leadership decided to announce the name at 24 Akbar Road in the national Capital on Thursday.

with inputs from Saubhadra Chatterji

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal on Thursday welcomed the party high command’s decision to name VD Satheesan as Kerala’s next chief minister, ending days of intense speculation over the leadership race within the Congress.

“The final decision has come, and the Congress high command decided VD Satheesan as the Chief Ministerial candidate for Keralam Government. I am welcoming that decision wholeheartedly,” Venugopal told reporters in Delhi shortly after the announcement.

Congratulating Satheesan, Venugopal said the people of Kerala had delivered a “big verdict” in favour of the UDF and expressed confidence that the new government would fulfil the aspirations of the people. “Certainly, we are totally behind the government of Keralam,” he said.

Read more here

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday congratulated V D Satheesan on being named as the Kerala CM and said he looked forward to working closely with him to uphold the spirit of federalism and protect the shared interests of both the states and their people.

The Congress named Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of suspense and speculation over the matter.

Taking to social media post on 'X', Siddaramaiah congratulated Satheesan on being named as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Kerala and as the next Chief Minister of Kerala.

"A six-term MLA, former Leader of Opposition from 2021 to 2026, and a leader who began his public life through student politics in the NSUI, Satheesan brings decades of legislative experience, organisational commitment and a deep understanding of people's aspirations," he said.

Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that under Satheesan's leadership, Kerala will witness a government committed to secularism, social justice, welfare and inclusive development.

"I look forward to working closely with him to uphold the spirit of federalism and protect the shared interests of Karnataka, Keralam and our people. My best wishes to him and the people of Keralam," he added.

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Congress leaders and newly elected MLAs on Thursday extended their greetings to V D Satheesan soon after the AICC announced him as the CM of Kerala.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph shared a photograph of Satheesan on Facebook and wrote, "Congratulations to V D Satheesan, the 24th chief minister of Kerala."

MP Shafi Parambil also congratulated Satheesan on being selected as the CM of Kerala.

In a Facebook post, Parambil, the KPCC working president, described Satheesan as the leader of the Congress-led UDF government and extended his wishes.

Congress leader and MLA V T Balram also congratulated Satheesan, saying the announcement reflected the will of the people.

In a Facebook post, Balram said the declaration was one Kerala had been waiting for and described it as the formal endorsement of a decision already made in the minds of the people.

"A truly democratic party can only take decisions by respecting public interest and cannot ignore the prevailing public sentiment," he said.

Balram said Satheesan was assuming office amid an unprecedented wave of popular support rarely seen for a political leader.

He added that Satheesan's elevation should not be viewed merely as that of a Congress or UDF CM, but as that of the CM of the people of Kerala.

Balram also called for united efforts going forward, stressing the need to fulfil promises, uphold expectations and work together towards a better future.

"We can do it, because this is Kerala," he said, concluding his post by asserting that Satheesan is "our chief minister".

Expelled Congress leader Rahul Mamkootathil also congratulated Satheesan.

In a Facebook post, Mamkootathil said the UDF's victory was the result of years of political struggle and sacrifice by party workers.

He said that over the past 10 years, the opposition had been engaged in intense political battles, with thousands of workers taking to the streets against what he termed anti-people governance.

According to him, the efforts of these workers had now culminated in a people's government, and the high command had entrusted Satheesan with the responsibility of leading it.

He expressed confidence that the new government would prioritise public welfare and work to realise the aspirations of the people, while extending his greetings to Satheesan.

Chandy Oommen, son of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the re-elected MLA from Puthuppally, also shared a photograph of Satheesan and extended his greetings.

Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who was re-elected as MLA from Muvattupuzha, said Kerala would see a new face and a new style of governance. "Greetings and congratulations to dear V D Satheesan," he said.

Roji M John, who was re-elected as the MLA from Angamaly, also shared a Facebook post congratulating Satheesan. (PTI)

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: The BJP on Thursday took a swipe at the Congress over its decision to appoint V D Satheesan as the next Kerala chief minister, saying the move exposes "infighting" within the party and shows that it would be a "remote-controlled government".

The Congress has named Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of suspense and speculation over the matter.

The decision was announced here at a press conference by AICC in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi and the party's central observers for the state, Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik.

The three main contenders for the post of chief minister were Satheesan, K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.

In a post on X, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed that the Congress party's central leadership has imposed the decision on the state unit.

"It is clear that Kerala's chief ministerial face has been decided in New Delhi and not in Kerala. The announcement was made from the AICC headquarters in Delhi, which shows that this will be a remote-controlled 'sarkar' (government)," he said.

The BJP leader also claimed there was disagreement within the Gandhi family over the leadership choice in Kerala and alleged that Satheesan was selected due to "pressure from Priyanka Gandhi", who "did not want Rahul Gandhi's candidate K C Venugopal at any cost".

"Priyanka Vadra was dead against Rahul Gandhi's pick of K C Venugopal. In fact, there was a huge family fight over who will call the shots in Kerala," he alleged.

He also blamed the delay in announcing the Congress leader in Kerala on internal differences and pressure from alliance partners.

"After 11 days, finally the Congress party from Delhi has announced the name of V D Satheesan ji as its leader and that means he will be the next CM. This has been done under two pressures. The Jamaat and the IUML had read the riot act to Congress. So this is clear influence of the Muslim vote bank," Poonawalla alleged.

Drawing parallels with the Congress governments in Karnataka, the BJP spokesperson alleged that factional rivalry will continue to trouble the party in Kerala as well.

"It will be the same model as Karnataka Congress sarkar. There it was D K Shivakumar versus Siddaramaiah. Here it will be Satheesan versus K C Venugopal versus Chennithala versus Shashi Tharoor. There will be four-five claimants who will constantly rock the boat," he claimed.

He further alleged that similar internal conflicts had affected Congress governments in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.

"So again Kerala people will be bracing themselves for instability," he said. (PTI)

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Following the announcement of VD Satheesan as the Keralam Congress Legislative Party leader, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Observer Ajay Maken on Thursday said that the decision was taken after wide-ranging consultations with all stakeholders

"Only after talking to everyone and holding extensive discussions, the decision was taken," Maken told reporters.

He added that he, along with senior leaders Mukul Wasnik and Deepa Das Munshi, would travel to Thiruvananthapuram this afternoon. "I, Mukul ji and Deepa Das Munshi ji will go to Trivandrum today afternoon," he said.

Additionally, Congress leader Deepa Das Munshi, while talking to the reporters, said, "I am going to Keralam. Ajay ji and Mukul ji will also be travelling there. We will meet all the MLAs to finalise a lot of formalities. We all stand with the decision made by the party high command. Everyone will stand together with the party."

On Thursday, the selection of VD Satheesan as the Legislative Party leader of Keralam Congress has sent a wave of jubilation across the state as years of on-ground hard work finally paved the way for the Congress leader to be elevated to the state's top post.

Keralam CM-designate VD Satheesan on Thursday said that he would take into confidence senior Congress leaders and candidates for the top post, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, and called for "collective effort" in governance. (ANI)

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Keralam CM-designate VD Satheesan promised good governance, focused on building a new Keralam for the youths without any compromises, after he was selected as the Legislative Party leader.

Speaking with ANI, Satheesan expressed his gratitude to the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other party leadership for the opportunity.

"I express my gratitude. I'm very grateful to the AICC leadership because our CLP adopted a resolution entrusting the Congress President to make a decision. Congress President, having a discussion with Rahul ji, Priyanka ji and all other leaders, has taken a decision. I dedicate this Chief Ministership to the people of Keralam," Satheesan told ANI.

"We have offered many things to the people. We have to make changes. We have to start a new era. I promise to the people of Keralam that there should be a new Keralam for the youngsters, those who are coming up, the next generation. We are going to change the definition of political work. I hope that political work should be a dedication to the people to change their living standard, and for the work for the people on the sidelines. We promise good governance, no compromise," he added.

Shortly after the announcement of Satheesan as the Legislative Party leader, he also addressed a press conference in which he said that he would take into confidence senior Congress leaders and candidates for the top post, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala. (ANI)

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Keralam CM-designate VD Satheesan on Thursday said that he would take into confidence senior Congress leaders and candidates for the top post, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, and called for "collective effort" in governance.

Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram after Congress announced VD Satheesan as the Legislative Party leader, he thanked Rahul Gandhi and the UDF workers.

Satheesan said, "I do not see this position as a personal achievement, but as something divine. It was KC Venugopal who coordinated all the activities of the AICC. His support was immense. Ramesh Chennithala is also my leader. I will take all of them into complete confidence. I seek the support of every section of people in Keralam. Only a collective effort can build a new Keralam. No one can do it alone; a team can achieve it."

"My party has entrusted me with a great responsibility. I thank Rahul Gandhi and others for that. Lakhs of UDF workers and leaders worked hard in this election. I am grateful to them for that," Satheesan added.

Hailing the party, the CM-designate said, “Congress is no ordinary party; there is a galaxy of leadership. They have given me feedback and advice and pulled me up when I was wrong.” (ANI)

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Congress CM candidate for Kerala V D Satheesan on Thursday thanked the party high command for giving him such a "huge responsibility".

Satheesan, speaking to reporters here, also thanked Congress general secretary K C Venugopal for coordinating the AICC efforts and supporting all party activities which helped it achieve a huge victory in the assembly polls in the state.

He also thanked senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who worked as the campaign committee chairman, for his role in the party's win, saying "he is my leader also".

Both Venugopal and Chennithala were also in the race for the CM's post.

Satheesan said that he will take both of them into his confidence going forward.

He also thanked the lakhs of party workers and the UDF coalition partners for helping him achieve the post of chief minister, which he termed as "a divine gift".

Satheesan said the party will work to deliver on the promises made to the public and to improve their standard of living. (PTI)

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Keralam chief minister-designate VD Satheesan on Thursday credited senior Congress leader KC Venugopal — who was a frontrunner in the CM race — for playing a crucial role in his elevation to the top post.

Shortly after being named by Congress leadership as the chief minister pick, Satheesan said in a press conference that Venugopal coordinated all activities of the AICC and extended "immense" support throughout the process.

Addressing reporters after his selection, Satheesan said he viewed the responsibility not as a personal achievement but as "something divine". He also acknowledged senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala as his leader and stressed that only collective effort could build a "new Kerala".

“I do not see this position as a personal achievement, but as something divine. It was KC Venugopal who coordinated all the activities of the AICC. His support was immense. Ramesh Chennithala is also my leader. I will take all of them into complete confidence,” Satheesan said, according to news agency ANI. Read full article here

Kerala CM decision LIVE updates: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala left his residence soon after the AICC announced V D Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala.

Chennithala was also among those considered for the post.

When the AICC announcement was made, reporters reached Chennithala's residence at Vazhuthacaud here.

Congress leader Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala told reporters that Chennithala was not at home and had already left.

However, he did not reveal where Chennithala had gone.

There were reports that Chennithala had raised objections to the AICC decision and might not attend the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday.

However, leaders close to him denied the reports and said that Chennithala had not expressed any dissent to the High Command.
(PTI)