The six-time MLA and outgoing Leader of Opposition will head the new UDF government after Congress secured a dominant mandate in Kerala
Congress leader and outgoing Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan will be the next Chief Minister of Kerala, state Congress in-charge Deepa Das Munshi announced on Thursday, ten days after the Assembly election results were declared.
The announcement comes after several rounds of consultations within the Congress leadership over the chief ministerial face following the United Democratic Front’s sweeping victory in the state.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also held discussions with several Kerala leaders and former state unit chiefs before the party finalised Satheesan’s name.
Apart from Satheesan, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala were also considered frontrunners for the top post.
LIVE: Congress Party Briefing by Shri @ajaymaken, Shri @MukulWasnik and Smt @DeepaDasmunsi at AICC Office, New Delhi. https://t.co/HpSnwiU36H
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 14, 2026
Satheesan emerged as the key face of the UDF campaign during the Assembly elections, which saw the alliance secure a massive 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.
The Congress alone won 63 seats, while the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which had dominated the 2021 elections with 99 seats, was reduced to just 35.
A six-time MLA, Satheesan retained the Paravur Assembly constituency in Ernakulam district for the sixth consecutive term in 2026. He defeated Communist Party of India candidate ET Taison Master by a margin of 20,600 votes.
Born in 1964 in Nettoor near Kochi, Satheesan began his political journey through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) before rising steadily through the Congress ranks. A trained lawyer and social worker, he later became active in the Youth Congress and built a reputation as one of the party’s strongest legislative voices in Kerala.
Known for his aggressive style in the Assembly and organisational skills, Satheesan has represented Paravur since 2001 and played a major role in rebuilding the Congress-led opposition in the state over the past few years.
With the UDF returning to power with a commanding mandate, Satheesan is now set to lead the new Congress-led government in Kerala.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
