Thiruvananthapuram, May 15: VD Satheesan is set to take the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday. This marks a significant return for the Congress party to the top position in the state after a long hiatus. The last Congress Chief Minister in Kerala was Oommen Chandy, who served until 2011.
Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Alongside Satheesan, the entire cabinet is expected to take their oaths as well. Reports indicate that the United Democratic Front (UDF) is currently finalizing the cabinet structure, considering the number of ministers from each allied party.
The swearing-in ceremony will also serve as a show of strength for the Congress party, with an anticipated turnout of around 100,000 attendees. Key figures expected to attend include Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Additionally, senior Congress leaders and the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Telangana are also likely to participate.
The UDF, led by Congress, has secured a majority in the Kerala Assembly, winning 102 out of 140 seats. Congress alone claimed victory in 63 seats.
After nearly ten days of uncertainty, behind-the-scenes discussions, and dramatic developments in both Delhi and Kerala, the Congress high command has chosen VD Satheesan as the Chief Minister. This decision came following extensive deliberations within the party.
Crucial discussions began Thursday morning when KC Venugopal was summoned to Rahul Gandhi’s residence in Delhi. During the nearly three-hour meeting, it was reported that Rahul Gandhi informed Venugopal of the leadership’s decision to support Satheesan for the top post. Priyanka Gandhi also played a role in ensuring consensus within the party.
Later, Rahul Gandhi communicated with Ramesh Chennithala, who reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision. Meanwhile, senior leaders including Mukul Wasnik, Ajay Maken, Jairam Ramesh, and Deepa Dasmunshi gathered at Kharge’s residence, where the announcement was finalized. Venugopal publicly declared VD Satheesan as the new Chief Minister, effectively ending the ongoing impasse within the party.
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