Kerala Cabinet 2026: From V D Satheesan to Ramesh Chennithala, know the new ministers sworn in today
Kerala’s new UDF government led by V D Satheesan took oath on Monday, with a mix of senior Congress leaders, Muslim League veterans, Kerala Congress faces and first-time ministers joining the new cabinet.
The new Kerala cabinet includes heavyweight leaders such as Ramesh Chennithala, P K Kunhalikutty, K Muraleedharan and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, alongside younger leaders who entered the ministry for the first time.
Here is a closer look at Kerala’s new ministers and the political journeys that brought them to the cabinet.
Who is Kerala’s new Chief Minister V D Satheesan?
V D Satheesan, 62, became Kerala Chief Minister after leading the UDF campaign with sharp electoral strategy and aggressive opposition politics. A five-time MLA from Paravur since 2001, Satheesan emerged as one of the most influential Congress leaders in the state over the past decade. Known for his environmental politics and the “Haritha MLA” initiative, Satheesan earlier served as chairman of the Estimates Committee and the Public Accounts Committee in the Assembly. He became Leader of Opposition in 2021 and played a key role in rebuilding the Congress-led alliance in Kerala. A sociology and law graduate, Satheesan was a High Court lawyer before becoming a full-time politician.
Ramesh Chennithala (69) (Haripad)
One of the most experienced leaders in the ministry, Chennithala, returns to government in a crucial role after years as a senior opposition voice. A former KPCC president, Youth Congress national president and Congress Working Committee member, he remains among the most influential Congress leaders in Kerala.
He first became MLA from Haripad at the age of 26 and later turned one of Kerala’s youngest ministers at 29. Chennithala has won six Assembly elections from Haripad and also served multiple terms as MP from Kottayam and Mavelikkara. Despite narrowly missing the chief ministership, his entry into the cabinet is seen as politically significant in the new power structure.
P K Kunhalikutty (74) (Malappuram)
Veteran Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikutty entered the cabinet for the sixth time after registering one of the biggest victory margins in Kerala Assembly election history with more than 85,000 votes. A nine-time MLA and former MP from Malappuram, Kunhalikutty has long been one of the most powerful figures in the IUML and the UDF. He served in ministries led by K Karunakaran, AK Antony and Oommen Chandy. He is also credited with helping drive Kerala’s digital expansion through projects like Akshaya and the early KINFRA industrial parks.
K Muraleedharan (69) (Vattiyoorkavu)
The son of former Chief Minister K Karunakaran, Muraleedharan, returns to the ministry for the second time after decades of turbulent political battles within and outside the Congress. Known for his blunt remarks and aggressive political style, Muraleedharan earlier served as KPCC president and was elected to Parliament four times. He briefly left the Congress in 2005 to form the Democratic Indira Congress along with Karunakaran before eventually returning to the party. Though he entered the cabinet once earlier, he had to resign within months after a bypoll defeat.
Mons Joseph (61) (Kaduthuruthy)
Mons Joseph returns as minister for a second term after playing a key role in strengthening the Kerala Congress (Joseph faction) during a politically sensitive election. A six-time MLA, he first became minister in 2007 after T U Kuruvila resigned from the VS Achuthanandan cabinet. When PJ Joseph later returned to the cabinet after being cleared in a case, Mons Joseph vacated the position for him, a move that strengthened his standing within the party. He remained one of PJ Joseph’s closest political associates during the Kerala Congress split in 2019 and currently serves as the party's executive chairman.
Sunny Joseph (73) (Peravoor)
KPCC president Sunny Joseph enters the cabinet after winning from Peravoor for the fourth consecutive time. He took charge of the state Congress unit after K Sudhakaran stepped down and quickly became one of the key faces of the UDF campaign. A former chairman of the Kerala Legislative Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Sunny Joseph, rose through KSU politics and later headed the Kannur District Congress Committee (DCC).
T Siddique (51) (Kalpetta)
T Siddique, who moved to Wayanad politics five years ago and secured victory, becomes minister after years in Congress organisational politics. Starting through KSU, Siddique later became Youth Congress state president and KPCC working president. Though he faced defeats in earlier Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, he rebuilt his political career through consistent grassroots work.
K M Shaji (55) (Vengara)
Known as one of the Muslim League’s strongest public speakers and crowd-pullers, KM Shaji becomes minister for the first time. Shaji has represented constituencies in both Kannur and Malappuram and built his political base through MSF and Youth League politics. He previously served as Kaniyambetta panchayat president and later held top organisational positions in the Youth League.
M Liju (47) (Kayamkulam)
After years of electoral disappointments, M Liju scripted a strong comeback with a major victory in Kayamkulam, paving the way for his first cabinet berth. A former KPCC general secretary and vice-president, Liju is known inside Congress circles as an effective organiser and articulate speaker. He also headed the Congress war room during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign.
Bindhu Krishna (53) (Kollam)
Bindhu Krishna became minister in her very first term as MLA, continuing her rise as one of Congress’ most prominent women leaders in Kerala. She earlier created history as the state’s first woman DCC president and built her political career through KSU, Youth Congress and Mahila Congress. A practising lawyer, she contested unsuccessfully in earlier Assembly and Lok Sabha elections before finally entering the Assembly.
O J Janeesh (37) (Kodungallur)
Among the youngest ministers in the cabinet, OJ Janeesh rose rapidly through Youth Congress politics during a period of organisational changes within the party. A lawyer practising in Chalakudy court, Janeesh made his Assembly debut from Kodungallur, a constituency traditionally considered difficult for the Congress-led alliance. His inclusion is seen as part of the UDF’s attempt to project younger leadership.
Anoop Jacob (49) (Piravom)
Anoop Jacob enters the cabinet after securing a record margin from Piravom. Son of former minister TM Jacob, he entered the Assembly through the 2012 bypoll held after his father’s death. He has retained the constituency since then and now takes charge as minister, reportedly handling the same Food and Civil Supplies portfolio once managed by his father.
V E Abdul Gafoor (50) (Kalamassery)
VE Abdul Gafoor’s rise to the cabinet comes after his high-profile victory over former minister P Rajeev in Kalamassery. The son of former minister VK Ebrahim Kunju, Gafoor is a lawyer and former under-16 state cricketer who entered politics through the Muslim Students Federation and later the Youth League.
C P John (69) (Thiruvananthapuram)
A veteran Left-era student leader who later became one of the UDF’s strongest intellectual voices, CP John finally enters the cabinet after decades in active politics.
A former SFI state secretary and president, John left the CPM along with MV Raghavan to form the CMP. Political observers often described him as a leader who could have risen to the CPM state leadership had he stayed back.
Shibu Baby John (62) (Chavara)
RSP state secretary Shibu Baby John returns to the cabinet after earlier serving in the Oommen Chandy government. The son of former minister Baby John, he initially entered politics after a career in seafood exports and business. He reclaimed Chavara after defeats in 2016 and 2021. Apart from politics, he is also known as a film producer.
P K Basheer (62) (Eranad)
PK Basheer, considered one of the Muslim League’s strongest grassroots leaders in Malappuram, becomes minister for the first time. A four-time MLA from Eranad, Basheer steadily increased his victory margin in every election. He started his political journey through MSF in the late 1970s and later rose to the League state secretariat.
N Samsudheen (56) (Mannarkkad)
N Samsudheen entered the cabinet after winning Mannarkkad with a record majority despite local controversies over candidate selection. A lawyer by profession, he rose through MSF ranks and later became Muslim League state secretary and national working committee member.
A P Anil Kumar (61) (Wandoor)
A six-time MLA from Wandoor, AP Anil Kumar becomes minister for the third time. He began his political career through KSU and Youth Congress and later emerged as a major organisational leader inside the KPCC. He currently serves as KPCC working president.
P C Vishnunadh (47) (Kundara)
Former Youth Congress state president PC Vishnunadh returns to the cabinet after reviving his electoral fortunes in Kundara by defeating former minister J Mercykutty Amma. He first entered the Assembly in 2006 after defeating Saji Cherian in Chengannur and later became one of the most recognisable youth faces of the Congress.
Roji M John (43) (Angamaly)
Roji M John became minister after winning from Angamaly for the third consecutive time, ending weeks of speculation over whether he would make it to the cabinet. His Delhi-level organisational experience and close working relationship with senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, reportedly worked in his favour. Roji currently serves as AICC secretary in charge of Karnataka. He began his political journey through KSU and later emerged as a national student leader.
K A Thulasi (53) (Kongad)
KA Thulasi entered the cabinet after securing a breakthrough victory in Kongad, a constituency long considered an LDF stronghold. A history professor and KPCC general secretary, she also served as member of the Kerala Women’s Commission. Kongad also drew attention this election as the only constituency in Kerala where women candidates contested from all three major fronts.
Who got key Assembly posts outside the cabinet?
Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (77) was chosen as the new Speaker of the Kerala Assembly, adding another major constitutional role to his long political career. The veteran leader, who secured his eighth Assembly victory, is regarded as one of Congress’ top strategists and previously handled major portfolios, including Home, in the Oommen Chandy government. A former KSU state president and practising lawyer since 1976.
Meanwhile, Shanimol Osman became Deputy Speaker, making her the fourth woman in Kerala to hold the post. A longtime Mahila Congress leader, she earlier served as Alappuzha municipal chairperson and became the first woman from Kerala to serve as AICC secretary.
Apu John Joseph, son of Kerala Congress chairman PJ Joseph, was appointed Chief Whip in his first Assembly term after winning from Thodupuzha. A former senior software engineer with Swiss Air, he later became active in Kerala Congress organisational politics and currently serves as the party’s state coordinator.