Kerala Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan turned emotional on Friday during a visit to the family of his late political mentor G Karthikeyan, days before taking oath as the state’s new Chief Minister.

Satheesan, who is set to be sworn in on May 18 after the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly elections, visited Karthikeyan’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram as part of a series of courtesy calls ahead of assuming office.

The emotional moment unfolded when Satheesan met Karthikeyan’s wife MT Sulekha and son K Sabarinadhan.

Overcome with emotion, the CM-designate broke into tears while remembering the late Congress stalwart who played a pivotal role in shaping his political career.

In a light-hearted yet affectionate moment, Sulekha reportedly told him, “A CM shouldn’t cry like this,” prompting smiles amid the emotional exchange.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Satheesan recalled how Karthikeyan helped revive his political journey at a time when he had almost stepped away from active politics.

Satheesan said he had distanced himself from student and youth politics after repeatedly missing out on organisational opportunities and had briefly turned to legal practice.

According to Satheesan, it was Karthikeyan who persuaded him to contest the Assembly elections from Paravur in 1996.

Although he lost that election, Karthikeyan again encouraged him to fight in 2001, when he secured his first victory. Satheesan has since retained the Paravur seat for six consecutive terms.

Describing Karthikeyan’s family as his own, Satheesan said the late Congress veteran was the leader who truly brought him into mainstream politics.

The visit came amid a packed schedule of political outreach for the CM-designate.

Earlier in the day, Satheesan met veteran Congress leader AK Antony to seek his blessings and also called on outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

He additionally met senior Congress leaders Adoor Prakash and Ramesh Chennithala.

The Congress-led UDF won 102 of Kerala’s 140 Assembly seats, ending a decade of Left Democratic Front rule.