The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday formally picked V D Satheesan as its Chief Ministerial face in Kerala after scripting a sweeping electoral comeback and ending the Left Democratic Front’s decade-long rule in the state.
The UDF stormed to power with a commanding 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, while the LDF was reduced to 35 seats. The BJP-led NDA won three seats.
Also read: Congress names veteran VD Satheesan as its Chief Minister pick in KeralaThe decision capped weeks of intense speculation within the Congress, with the party high command weighing a three-cornered leadership contest involving senior leaders with strong organisational and electoral credentials.
Though multiple names were discussed, Satheesan had long been viewed as the frontrunner. The former Leader of the Opposition is widely credited with rebuilding the Congress organisation in Kerala after two successive Assembly defeats and reviving cadre morale across the state.
Meet Kerala’s new CM-designate
A veteran legislator, Satheesan has represented the Paravur constituency in Ernakulam district since 2001 and currently serves as vice president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
Under his leadership, the UDF delivered strong performances in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2025 local body polls before converting that momentum into a decisive Assembly election victory.He also played a central role in the alliance’s victories in crucial bypolls, including Thrikkakara, Puthuppally and Nilambur, which helped sustain the Opposition’s momentum against the ruling Left front.
Also read: Who is VD Satheesan? The man who led Congress’s Kerala comeback and won the CM race
Inside the Assembly and on the political campaign trail, Satheesan emerged as one of the sharpest critics of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the LDF government, repeatedly attacking it over governance issues, corruption allegations and administrative failures.
He also earned a reputation within the party for decisive organisational control. His handling of internal controversies, including the Rahul Mamkootathil episode, was viewed by many in the Congress as an assertion of discipline and leadership authority.
