V D Satheesan is all set to be sworn in as the 16th Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday after the Congress-led United Democratic Front returned to power in the State after a decade.
Satheesan announced the names of his ministerial team ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. He told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday that the list of Ministers had been finalised after discussions among alliance leaders, taking into account social and regional balance within the coalition.
He handed over the list of ministers to the Kerala Governor at Lok Bhavan after two days of discussions with allies and party leaders.
Senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan and Sunny Joseph will be inducted as ministers. The other ministers from the Congress are P. C. Vishnunath, A. P. Anil Kumar, Roji M. John, Bindu Krishna, M. Liju, T. Siddique, K. A. Thulasi and O. J. Janeesh.
The Indian Union Muslim League also declared the names of P. K. Kunhalikutty, N. Shamsudheen, K. M. Shaji, P. K. Basheer and V. E. Abdul Gafoor as ministers in the new cabinet.
The other ministers from UDF constituents are Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob and C. P. John.
The UDF also decided to appoint senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan as the Speaker of the Assembly, while Shanimol Usman will serve as Deputy Speaker.
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.
Published on May 17, 2026