Kerala New CM Announcement LIVE: VD Satheesan over KC Venugopal - 10 Days Later, Congress Picks Next Keralam CM
The decision ends 10 days of suspense after the UDF won 102 of 140 seats and clears the way for government formation.
- On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the All India Congress Committee designated V.D. Satheesan as Kerala Chief Minister-designate, following the Congress-led United Democratic Front winning a landslide victory with 102 of 140 seats.
- The leadership announcement concludes ten days of suspense following the May 4 election results, which ended ten years of Left rule in Kerala under Pinarayi Vijayan.
- Senior Congress leaders K. Sudhakaran and K.C. Venugopal endorsed the selection, while Satheesan, the former Opposition Leader, thanked the high command for the "huge responsibility."
- Congress Legislature Party members will meet at 4 p.m. in Thiruvananthapuram today to formally nominate Satheesan, KPCC president Sunny Joseph confirmed as the final step before government formation.
- Alleging IUML influence, the BJP criticized the appointment, claiming the state will operate as a "remote-controlled government" influenced by the Indian Union Muslim League over the next five years.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Congress, finally, reads the Kerala verdict
Congress delay in naming V D Satheesan as Kerala CM after UDF victory highlights internal rift and governance challenges ahead in Kerala politics amid Centre state tensions and fiscal pressures Further pressure on fiscal reforms and coalition unity.
VD Satheesan Says Keralam Has Reaffirmed Its Secular Identity Through Election Verdict
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Addressing reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Satheesan said, "Some people are trying to start the hate campaign in Kerala. This is secular Kerala. The result of this election is a declaration of Kerala people to the entire country that our state is secular. We will keep it that way." India News | VD Satheesan Says Keralam Has Reaffirmed Its Secular Identity Through Election Verdict.
The Congress high command didn't take the same risks regarding the Kerala Chief Minister's position as it had in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka. The grassroots demand favored VD Satheesan, which the party leadership yielded to. And KC Venugopal, the high command's closest ally, reluctantly supported the leadership's decision.
How kingmaker KC Venugopal lost plot against VD Satheesan in race to become Kerala CM
Public sentiment and significant support from the Muslim League ultimately favoured V D Satheesan over K C Venugopal for the Kerala Chief Minister.Kerala Chief Minister, Congress leadership, V D Satheesan, K C Venugopal, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Muslim League support, Kerala politics, political drama Kerala, Congress party internal, MLA support Kerala, public mood Kerala, political appointments, election results Kerala, party internal deci…
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