Source TOI
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — On the eve of a historic political transition, Kerala’s Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan on Sunday finalized and announced the names of the ministers who will form his new cabinet. The announcement marks the culmination of days of intense deliberations to ensure regional and social balance within the newly elected United Democratic Front (UDF) government.
The 21-member council of ministers, including the Chief Minister, is scheduled to take the oath of office at a formal swearing-in ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026. The transition follows a landslide victory for the UDF in the state assembly elections, which brought an end to a decade-long rule by the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
A Balanced Front: Balancing Seniority and Coalition Allies
Speaking to reporters after submitting the finalized list to Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan, Satheesan emphasized that the cabinet selection heavily weighed regional representation and social demographics.
“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,” Satheesan said.
The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party in the alliance with 63 seats, has inducted prominent veteran leaders into its ministerial ranks, including senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief Sunny Joseph, and K. Muraleedharan.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest constituent in the UDF alliance with 22 seats, has secured five cabinet positions. Additionally, the party has reached an internal understanding to induct senior leader Parackal Abdullah into the cabinet after the government completes two and a half years in office.
The UDF Cabinet and Assembly Lineup
The preliminary list of ministers and assembly leadership positions announced ahead of the oath-taking ceremony includes:
Position / Allocation Nominee Party Affiliation
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan Indian National Congress (INC)
Cabinet Minister Ramesh Chennithala Indian National Congress (INC)
Cabinet Minister Sunny Joseph Indian National Congress (INC)
Cabinet Minister K. Muraleedharan Indian National Congress (INC)
Cabinet Minister P.K. Kunhalicutty Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
Cabinet Minister P.K. Basheer Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
Cabinet Minister P.K. Shamshudeen Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
Cabinet Minister K.M. Shaji Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
Cabinet Minister N. Shamsudeen Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
Cabinet Minister Mons Joseph Kerala Congress (Joseph)
Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan Indian National Congress (INC)
Deputy Speaker Shanimol Usman Indian National Congress (INC)
Note: Portfolios for individual ministries, including highly anticipated assignments for Home and Finance, are expected to be officially designated immediately following Monday’s swearing-in.
Dawn of a New Political Era
The formation of the Satheesan ministry caps off a dramatic turnaround for the UDF, which secured an absolute two-thirds majority by winning 102 out of the 140 available legislative seats in the assembly.
Satheesan, a six-term MLA from the Paravur constituency and the former Leader of the Opposition, has promised a fresh approach to governance centered around building a cohesive, collaborative team. Leaders from the alliance partners have echoed this sentiment, stating that the spectacular mandate given by the people of Kerala will be honored with an efficient, transparent administration aimed at state development and public welfare.
