Thiruvananthapuram: V D Satheesan on Monday took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala, marking the return of the Congress-led UDF government to power in the state after its emphatic victory in the Assembly elections. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Satheesan at a grand swearing-in ceremony held in Thiruvananthapuram.

Satheesan took the oath in the name of God. Along with him, all members of the 20-member Cabinet were also sworn in amid loud cheers from thousands of UDF workers and supporters gathered at the venue.

Senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, A P Anil Kumar and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph took oath as ministers. Senior IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty, RSP leader Shibu Baby John, Kerala Congress leader Mons Joseph, Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader Anoop Jacob and CMP leader C P John were also sworn in.

The new Cabinet has 14 first-time ministers, including Satheesan, who is assuming a government post for the first time despite representing Paravur since 2001. The ministry includes two women members and two representatives from the Scheduled Caste community.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attended the ceremony. Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Left leaders, BJP representatives and chief ministers from Congress-ruled states were also present.

The Assembly elections to the 140-member House were held on April 9, with results declared on May 4. The Congress-led UDF secured a landslide victory with 102 seats, while the LDF won 35 seats and the BJP secured three.