Kerala CM-designate V D Satheesan on Saturday met IUML leaders and credited the party, led by Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, as a “brother party” sustaining the UDF’s secular stance. He said communal campaigns over Munambam and Palluruthy issues failed because IUML’s leadership stayed firm, even during the Babri Masjid demolition period. Satheesan also argued that IUML’s strength is essential for Kerala’s stability and said portfolio-sharing discussions are complete, with announcements expected Sunday.
As Kerala’s Congress-led UDF races to form its new cabinet after a decisive 2026 election win, Keralam Congress president Sunny Joseph says talks over ministerial berths will be conducted both individually and collectively with alliance partners. The statement comes as Congress leader VD Satheesan, announced as chief minister-designate on May 14, prepares to be sworn in on May 18. The political moment is heightened by a high-profile meeting with AMMA members at Satheesan’s residence and the UDF ending LDF’s decade-long rule.
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Ahead of the UDF government swearing-in in Kerala on Monday, internal Congress tensions are surfacing around cabinet formation. Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala is reportedly unhappy with how negotiations are progressing, pressing for the Home department under CM VD Satheesan and cabinet berths for two MLAs considered close to him. Sources say neither demand has been accepted yet, fueling speculation that Chennithala may opt out of the ministry. The party now must balance factional interests after Satheesan’s CM selection.
UDF convenor Adoor Prakash said the entire Kerala Cabinet of the new government is expected to be sworn in on Monday, with the ministerial roster likely to be finalised shortly. UDF allies including Congress, IUML, Kerala Congress (KEM), RSP and others met at Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, their first formal gathering after the May 4 Assembly election results. Leaders stressed the meeting was procedural, while preparations continue for the 10 am oath ceremony.
Kerala’s new Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, a six-time MLA and senior Congress leader, vowed a “new era” after years of Left rule. In his first major media interaction, he promised transparent, efficient governance and said the UDF would rebuild public trust that he claims was eroded under the previous regime.
Kerala Congress (J) chairman P J Joseph says his party will seek two ministerial berths in the next UDF government. Speaking at a UDF meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on government formation, he noted the UDF’s election majority and argued the chief minister should be chosen from elected MLAs, setting terms for coalition talks.
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The United Democratic Front (UDF) has picked veteran leader VD Satheesan as its Chief Minister candidate for Kerala. The move comes after UDF’s strong performance in the Assembly elections, delivering a substantial majority and beating the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The decision sets the tone for Kerala’s next political phase and coalition momentum.
Congress’s commanding win in Kerala’s Assembly election has been overshadowed by a leadership deadlock. Even after the UDF secured a clear mandate, naming the next Chief Minister has stalled as competing factions push for different contenders, with a Delhi meeting failing to bridge the divide between senior leadership and local claimants.
Congress’ Kerala leadership is set to meet Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday to finalise the state Chief Minister choice. The meeting comes after days of internal deliberations following the United Democratic Front’s sweeping win in the assembly elections. Key contenders include senior leaders such as VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, with a final decision expected today.
Congress’s top leadership is holding detailed talks with Kerala party leaders to choose the next chief minister, aiming for maximum consensus. The party is also seeking input from former State PCC presidents, while UDF allies closely track developments. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are reportedly directly involved in the deliberations as discussions gather pace.
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Kerala’s Assembly election has been decided for over a week, but the UDF still has no named Chief Minister. With counting complete, Congress leadership reportedly remains deadlocked among VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, fueling political tension. The BJP has seized on the delay with a surprising dig, escalating pressure on Congress to resolve the internal standoff and make an appointment.
Kerala Congress chief Sunny Joseph tells Republic he is “not in the Chief Ministerial race” as Congress leadership continues deliberations on who should lead after the UDF’s 2026 election victory. His remarks come amid a leadership deadlock within the party and its coalition, leaving the CM decision unresolved while discussions continue at the high-command level.
Kerala’s week-long political deadlock is nearing its end as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to announce the next Chief Minister by 6 PM. The UDF’s post-election power struggle has tightened around K C Venugopal, seen as the frontrunner against V D Satheesan, with the decision likely reshaping Congress’s leadership line in the state.
A young IAS officer’s social media post outlining reforms for Kerala after the UDF victory has sparked a heated public debate. The proposals include raising the retirement age to retain experienced officials, developing nightlife to attract tourists and investment, and expanding English-medium education to boost youth opportunities. Supporters call it modernization; critics question feasibility and priorities.
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Kerala Congress (Joseph) leader Apu John Joseph has clarified that the invitation extended to the Kerala Congress (M) faction to rejoin the UDF was meant in sincerity. He regretted if earlier comments caused hurt, stressing that a strong opposition is vital for Kerala’s political balance. Joseph also reiterated his party’s focus on farmers and land-related issues.
Congress leaders are meeting in New Delhi to finalise the next Chief Minister of Kerala after the UDF’s major electoral victory. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are reportedly reviewing assessments from observers across the state. Sources suggest the final decision could come soon, as top brass weighs who can best lead the government in the south.
Congress is deliberating over who will lead Kerala as the next chief minister, with top party leaders convening at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to finalize the decision. The Congress-led UDF has secured a strong majority in the recent assembly polls, while the Kerala Congress Joseph faction is seeking two ministerial positions amid the coalition’s power-sharing talks.
A sudden poster war has broken out in Idukki, Kerala, with backers putting up claims for Ramesh Chennithala as Chief Minister, after similar posters for KC Venugopal appeared earlier. Congress leaders are now in Delhi to decide the United Democratic Front’s CM face, with VD Satheesan viewed as a frontrunner. The high command will make the final call after internal processes.
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Kerala’s next Chief Minister decision is set to be finalized on Sunday as the Congress high command in Delhi weighs the UDF victory outcome. Party sources point to KC Venugopal and VD Satheesan as leading contenders, with intense consultations, lobbying in the background, and growing protests and internal rebellion buzz shaping the final call.
Fresh controversy has erupted in Kerala’s Wandoor constituency after posters targeting senior Congress leader KC Venugopal and MLA AP Anil Kumar appeared in multiple locations. The development comes as the UDF’s Kerala Assembly win puts the chief minister selection under a spotlight, with reports of growing disagreements and protests across the state.
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