Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader and Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan will take oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala at 10 am on Monday at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, along with the full 20-member United Democratic Front (UDF) Cabinet, marking the alliance’s return to power after a decade.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will attend the swearing-in ceremony. Heavy security arrangements have been put in place across the state capital.

Lok Bhavan has informed that only the Governor, the Chief Minister and the ministers will be allowed on the stage during the ceremony.

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Satheesan on Sunday met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan and submitted the list of ministers who will be inducted into the Cabinet.

Addressing a press conference later, Satheesan said the entire Council of Ministers would take oath together with the Chief Minister after nearly six decades.

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"The swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow at 10 am. Along with the Chief Minister, the full Cabinet will take the oath together after nearly six decades. The Indian Union Muslim League has already announced its nominees. Among the 63 Congress MLAs, there are many deserving leaders. Several deserving leaders have also been left out and remain outside the Cabinet. There is sadness and difficulty in that. Various limitations, criteria and social realities led to such decisions," Satheesan said.

He said the process of government formation had been completed in record time after discussions with coalition partners and Congress leaders.

"We have discussed with the coalition partners, we have interacted with all Congress leaders within the party, and we are delighted to say that within 24 hours, we have completed the entire process. This is the fastest in the history of Kerala," he added.

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The Chief Minister-designate said the Cabinet composition reflected coalition compulsions as well as social and regional balance.

"We have 63 MLAs, some are more eligible than others, but unfortunately, we have to consider the social and regional balance and the representation of women and Dalits. We are not able to include all the eligible persons in the Cabinet. We have included two members from the SC, and women's representation has been ensured," he said.

The Cabinet includes senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, along with IUML leaders PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, N Samsudheen, KM Shaji and VE Abdul Gafoor. Others in the ministry are Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob, CP John, AP Anil Kumar, T Siddique, PC Vishnunath, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, M Liju, KA Thulasi and O J Janeesh.

Satheesan also announced that senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will be the Speaker of the Assembly, while Shanimol Usman will serve as Deputy Speaker. MLA Apu John Joseph has been appointed Government Chief Whip.

He further said portfolio allocation had been almost finalised.

"The allocation of departments has been almost finalised, with only a few minor corrections remaining. The decisions regarding the constituent parties have also been nearly completed. Usually, the list is submitted to the Governor after the swearing-in ceremony, and that will be done tomorrow. Following that, the government's Gazette notification will be issued," he said.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the party had completed all internal consultations before finalising the ministry.

"The discussion is already completed. The Chief Minister, V D Satheesan, has already submitted the list to the Governor of Kerala... The Congress party has very senior people. We cannot accommodate everybody in the Cabinet. But we try to accommodate most of the people... The spectacular victory which has been given by the people of Kerala should be respected. We will give good governance to the people of Kerala," Chennithala said.

He also reiterated the long-standing alliance between the Congress and IUML.

"The alliance with the Muslim League is not for today... for the last four decades, there has been an alliance with the Muslim League. That alliance is intact..." he said.

The IUML has secured five berths in the ministry, with PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, N Samsudheen, KM Shaji and VE Abdul Gafoor set to take oath on Monday. The party also announced that Kuttiadi MLA Parakkal Abdulla would be inducted into the Cabinet after two-and-a-half years under an internal rotational arrangement.

Ahead of the ceremony, several incoming ministers expressed gratitude to the party leadership and pledged to fulfil the promises made to the electorate.

Congress MLA Roji M John said, "I am thankful to the Congress party leadership for having faith in me and giving me this great opportunity. People of Kerala have given us a huge mandate, and they have a lot of expectations from this government. We will definitely try our best to fulfil all the promises that we have made, and we will make sure that the government rises up to the expectations of the people of Kerala."

K Muraleedharan said the new government would begin implementing its election guarantees immediately.

"The new government will take over tomorrow. We will fulfil our promises to the people. Tomorrow will be a new start... We will implement our five guarantees, especially the free journey for ladies... Step by step, we will fulfil our promises. We want a good opposition. We are not like PM Modi. My portfolio is not decided..." he said.

IUML MLA PK Basheer said, "My party has decided my name as the minister, so I am happy. I will work for the people of Kerala and the state of Kerala."

N Samsudheen added, "Our party has decided to represent the people in the future Kerala Cabinet as a minister. I am very happy... Everything will be decided by the leaders. They will allot a portfolio to me."

VE Abdul Gafoor said, "The party state president has taken a decision, and the chief minister has announced it. Tomorrow, all ministers will take the oath. The Ministry has been decided... Whatever is given to us, we will do it."

Ahead of assuming office, Satheesan also met Mar Cleemis Bava of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and sought his blessings.

"Received the blessings and warm wishes of #MarClimisBava ahead of assuming office as the Chief Minister of #Kerala tomorrow. His words of faith and goodwill are a source of great strength and encouragement. With a sense of divine responsibility, I remain committed to ensuring inclusive governance, respecting all communities, and prioritising the development and progress of Kerala," Satheesan wrote on X.

The UDF secured a sweeping victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, winning 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly and ending the decade-long rule of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The Congress won 63 seats, while the IUML secured 22. The LDF was reduced to 35 seats and the BJP won three constituencies.