Kerala CM Announcement 2026 Live: The Congress has announced VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala, naming him the Legislative Party leader after over a week of intense behind‑the‑scenes deliberations, with Kerala leaders repeatedly shuttling between Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi. The decision ends days of speculation and internal tussles over the top post, in which Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala were also seen as possible contenders. With the announcement, the UDF will now move to form the government in the state, where it won a decisive 102 seats in the 140‑member Assembly in the elections.
VD Satheesan’s political journey
Satheesan, who previously served as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Kerala Assembly, will now lead the Congress‑led UDF government. He won his sixth consecutive term from the Paravur constituency in the 2026 Assembly polls, securing 78,658 votes and defeating CPI candidate ET Taison Master by a margin of 20,600 votes. Having first won the Paravur seat in 2001, Satheesan has now represented the constituency for 25 years, giving him deep grassroots experience ahead of his swearing‑in as Chief Minister. Following the announcement, the Congress Kerala leaders are scheduled to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and stake claim to form the government.
BJP mocks Congress confusion
Earlier, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the delay, claiming the Congress is mired in confusion even after securing a full majority. “The Congress party is in complete confusion even after 9 days. Congress got a full majority in Kerala and yet there is confusion. I was even told that there will be five CMs in five years. Wherever there is CM, there is confusion. You can see the situation of Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh,” he told media, dramatically using binoculars to underscore his point.
Kerala CM name announcement Highlights:
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: VD Satheesan to take oath as Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18
Congress leader VD Satheesan will take the oath as the Kerala Chief Minister on May 18. The party MLAs will take the oath on May 21.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy congratulates VD Satheesan
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy congratulated VD Satheesan after being appointed as the next Chief Minister of Kerala, saying it was a well-deserved recognition of decades of public service and principled politics.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan elected Leader of Opposition
Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was on Thursday (May 14) elected as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP)in the Kerala Assembly.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Kerala CM designate VD Satheesan arrives VM Sudheeran's residence in Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Chief Minister designate VD Satheesan on Thursday (May 14) arrived at the residence of VM Sudheeran in Thiruvananthapuram.
#watch | Keralam CM designate VD Satheesan arrives at the residence of VM Sudheeran in Thiruvananthapuram. pic.twitter.com/Llw4HtQlcQ
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2026
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy congratulates VD Satheesan's appointment as Kerala CM
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy reacted to the Congress decision to appoint VD Satheesan as Kerala chief minister. Kumaraswamy said most Congress workers in Kerala wanted Satheesan as CM, while KC Venugopal was also trying to secure the post through the party high command.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Actor Mohanlal congratulates VD Satheesan on becoming Chief Minister of Kerala
Malayalam Actor Mohanlal on Thursday congratulated VD Satheesan after his appointment as Kerala Chief Minister and wished him success in leading the state's development journey.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'I wish him success,' says AK Antony after meeting VD Satheesan
After meeting Kerala CM designate VD Satheesan, senior party leader AK Antony said, "I wish him success. I wish that during his tenure, he must be able to take Keralam to the best developed state in South India. I fully support the decision taken by the Congress High Command."
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: CM designate VD Satheesan arrives at senior party leader AK Antony's residence
Kerala CM designate VD Satheesan on Thursday (May 14) arrived at the residence of senior party leader AK Antony ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meeting.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: CM designate VD Satheesan leaves for the Legislative Assembly
Kerala Chief Minister designate VD Satheesan leaves for the Legislative Assembly to attend the Congress Legislature Party meeting.
#watch | Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam | CM designate VD Satheesan leaves for the Legislative Assembly to attend the Congress Legislature Party meeting pic.twitter.com/PiM76la1Y8
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2026
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: BJP takes a swipe at Congress, calls it 'remote-controlled sarkar'
BJP slammed the Congress over its decision to appoint VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, alleging that the move reflects internal "infighting" and would result in a "remote-controlled government."
In a post on X, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the decision was imposed by the Congress central leadership on the state unit and said the Chief Minister was chosen in New Delhi rather than Kerala.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Wishes pour in for Kerala CM-elect VD Satheesan
Taking to Facebook, KPCC president Sunny Joseph shared a photograph of VD Satheesan and said, "Congratulations to VD Satheesan, the 24th chief minister of Kerala."
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah congratulates VD Satheesan
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Congress leader VD Satheesan on being elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Kerala and as the next Chief Minister of the state.
In a post on X, Siddaramaiah praised Satheesan's political journey and expressed confidence in his leadership.
Congratulations to Shri @vdsatheesan on being named as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Keralam and as the next Chief Minister of Keralam.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 14, 2026
A six-term MLA, former Leader of Opposition from 2021 to 2026, and a leader who began his public life through student… pic.twitter.com/2T40HmVRax
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Satheesan to be next CM of Kerala
VD Satheesan will be the next Chief Minister of Kerala as Congress announced him as the Legislative Party leader of Kerala Congress on Thursday after more than a week of intense deliberations with Kerala party leader rushing back and forth to Delhi. With the announcement, Congress will proceed to form the government in the state, ending days of speculation as the top leaders tussled among themselves for the post. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala were the other leaders in the fray for state's top post. Satheesan served as the Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly before the UDF's decisive victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The alliance won 102 seats in the 140-member assembly.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'Hope that Satheesan converts challenges into opportunities', says RJD's Manoj Jha
On Congress leader VD Satheesan named as the CM of Kerala, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha says, "I hope that he converts the challenges into opportunities, given that he received such a huge mandate.”
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Satheesan's supporters burst firecrackers in Kannur
Supporters of Congress leader VD Satheesan burst firecrackers outside Kannur Congress office after he was named as the Chief Minister of Kerala.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'Will form our team and work', says VD Satheesan
“We will form our team and work, our target is to create a new Kerala amid a tough fiscal situation; will discuss with party leaders, allies and decide on oath-taking ceremony”, says Kerala CM-elect VD Satheesan.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'We promise good governance, no compromise', says VD Satheesan
After being named Kerala CM, VD Satheesan says, "I express my gratitude. I'm very grateful to the AICC leadership because our CLP adopted a resolution entrusting the Congress President to make a decision. Congress President, having a discussion with Rahul ji, Priyanka ji and all other leaders, has taken a decision. I dedicate this Chief Ministership to the people of Keralam. We have offered many things to the people. We have to make changes. We have to start a new era. I promise to the people of Kerala that there should be a new Keralam for the youngsters, those who are coming up, the next generation. We are going to change the definition of political work. I hope that political work should be a dedication to the people to change their living standard and for the work for the people on the sidelines... We promise good governance, no compromise..."
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'Congress selected me to lead Kerala', says VD Satheesan
On KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, VD Satheesan, after being named Keralam CM, says, "Both are my leaders and my seniors. I'm junior to them. They have helped a lot with this wonderful victory. As a General Secretary Organisation, he helped a lot in the elections. It is his state. He is an MP from Keralam and Ramesh Chennithala was the campaign committee chairman. He was my leader for a long time. I was with him. The party selected me to lead Keralam. There are many factors. Why should the CLP meeting adopt a resolution to entrust the Congress president? Because the Congress president and other leaders have to discuss with many others. Many other factors should be considered."
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'I thank Rahul Gandhi and others for this opportunity', says Kerala CM designate Satheesan
Kerala CM designate VD Satheesan says, "My party has entrusted me with a great responsibility. I thank Rahul Gandhi and others for that. Lakhs of UDF workers and leaders worked hard in this election. I am grateful to them for that."
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'No one can do it alone, a team can achieve it', says Kerala CM designate Satheesan
Kerala CM designate VD Satheesan says, "I do not see this position as a personal achievement, but as something divine. It was KC Venugopal who coordinated all the activities of the AICC. His support was immense. Ramesh Chennithala is also my leader. I will take all of them into complete confidence. I seek the support of every section of people in Kerala. Only a collective effort can build a new Kerala. No one can do it alone; a team can achieve it."
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'Accept Congress' decision of selecting VD Satheesan as CM', says Venugopal
"I accept the party decision selecting VD Satheesan as CM", said KC Venugopal in Delhi.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: VD Satheesan arrives at Congress office in Thiruvananthapuram
VD Satheesan arrives at the Congress office in Thiruvananthapuram after announcement of his name as the Kerala Chief Minister, to address the media shortly.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'Congratulate VD Satheesan on being selected as Kerala CM', says KC Venugopal
"I congratulate VD Satheesan on being selected as Kerala CM, will provide all support to him and UDF government," said Congress leader KC Venugopal to media in Delhi.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'Decision was taken after talking to everyone', says Ajay Maken after Satheesan named announced as Kerala CM
On VD Satheesan named Kerala CM, AICC Kerala Observer Ajay Maken says, "Only after talking to everyone and holding extensive discussions, the decision was taken."
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: VD Satheesan's supporters celebrate in Kerala | VIDEO
Massive celebrations underway at the residence of VD Satheesan in Thiruvananthapuram as Congress named him the Chief Minister of Kerala today.
#watch | Thiruvananthapuram: Celebrations begin at the residence of VD Satheesan as Congress names him the Chief Minister of Keralam. pic.twitter.com/OT0tJabMmm
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2026
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'Very good decision', says KPCC president Sunny Joseph
"It is a very good decision," says Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph, as VD Satheesan is announced as Kerala Chief Minister.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: 'VD Satheesan appointed as CLP leader by Congress', says Deepa Dasmunsi
“It has been decided to appoint VD Satheesan as the leader of the CLP”, says Congress leader Deepa Dasmunsi, during a press conference in the national capital today.
VIDEO | Delhi: “It has been decided to appoint V. D. Satheesan as the leader of the CLP”, says Congress leader Deepa Dasmunsi, during a press conference.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 14, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) https://t.co/KxK4Mz0pmB pic.twitter.com/G3mcLs5Z7t
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Congress names VD Satheesan as Chief Minister of Kerala
Celebrations begin at the residence of VD Satheesan as Congress names him the Chief Minister of Keralam.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Congress holding press conference in Delhi, to announce name of next Kerala CM
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal arrives at his residence. Congress is holding a press conference likely to announce the name of the next Kerala CM.
Kerala CM Announcement 2026 LIVE: Congress workers supporting Ramesh Chennithala outside his residence
Congress workers supporting Ramesh Chennithala outside his residence as the party is likely to announce the Keralam CM name today.