Congress' CM pick for Kerala, VD Satheesan, on Thursday thanked the party high command for entrusting him with such a "huge responsibility" and pledged to usher in a "new era" for the state, focusing on transforming the economic landscape and addressing the debt crisis.
61-year-old Satheesan, a six-time MLA from Peravoor, had steered the United Democratic Front's (UDF) landslide victory in the 2026 Assembly Elections, where the alliance secured a thumping 102 seats in the 140-member house.
In his first response after the announcement, Satheesan said, "I express sincere gratitude to my party, the AICC leadership."
"I am humbled by the trust placed in me by the party and the people. They entrusted me with a huge responsibility, and I am very thankful to team UDF and the workers. I dedicate my CMship to the people of Kerala. We have promised many things, and I think we can build a team that can change Keralam."
"This victory belongs to the grassroot workers who stood by us when we were in the wilderness," Satheesan told reporters, adding that "All AICC leaders called me and congratulated me."
Satheesan also thanked Congress general secretary KC Venugopal for coordinating the AICC efforts and supporting all party activities, which helped it achieve a huge victory in the assembly polls in the state.
He also thanked senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who worked as the campaign committee chairman, for his role in the party's win.
"Both are my leaders and my seniors. I'm junior to them. They have helped a lot with this wonderful victory," he said.
Satheesan said that he will take both of them into his confidence going forward.
Further, he pledged to usher in a "new era, a new Kerala" focusing on transforming the State's economic landscape, addressing its debt crisis.
"It will be a new era, a new Kerala that is our target, we are going through tough times, the fiscal situation of kerala is vulnerable, and we are hopeful of change," Satheesan said.
Both Venugopal and Ramesh Chenithala, who were perceived as contenders for the post, accepted the party's decision and congratulated Satheesan. Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal said he will provide all support to the CM and the UDF government in Kerala.
A lawyer by profession, Satheesan had entered politics in 1996 and gradually built a reputation with his combative style and hard-hitting speeches. Active in student politics at the Mahatma Gandhi University, he served as secretary of the National Students' Union of India. He also held various responsibilities in the party and served as Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice president and All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary.
Satheesan had snatched the Paravur Assembly seat in 2001 from the Communist Party of India and repeated the win in 2016. He had served as the Leader of the Opposition in the previous House has emerged as the public face of the UDF's comeback bid in the recent elections.
Satheesan had been wholly invested in the election had during the election campaign, declared that he would step away from active politics if the UDF alliance failed to secure a convincing mandate.
Satheesan also enjoyed the strong backing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the main ally of the Congress in this election.
While the Congress secured 63 seats, IUML won 22 seats ending the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) decade-long rule in the State.
IUML's Kerala State President chief Sayyid Sadikali Shihab Thangal addressing media persons after the Congress announcement said the Muslim League has welcomed the high command's decision. "We wish him all the best. like we said earlier we stand by the party decision. Satheesan has always talked about Team UDF and this government will be a team UDF for the next 5 years."
"The decision was made by respecting the people's verdict. The AICC high command took the final decision in this. They discussed in detail took the decision only after completing all democratic procedures. They took the views of the alliance partners multiple times. Even today, (Mallikarjun) Kharge called us," Thangal said.
"Most proabably, the swearing in will take place on Monday and will soon announce the ministers from the League too," the IUML leader said.
With this announcement, Congress will proceed to form the government in the State, and a final decision is expected to be taken after the Congress Legislature Party meeting.
Hailing the party, the CM-designate said, "Congress is no ordinary party; there is a galaxy of leadership. They have given me feedback and advice and pulled me up when I was wrong."He added that the Congress leaders are set to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, following a Legislative Party meeting, to claim the stake and form the UDF government in the state. He said, "We will meet the Governor and then will figure out when this is happening. A call will be taken; the ministers will be decided by the party. The party will come together and decide."
IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty, who won this election from the Malappuram constituency, said, "Further matters will be decided after knowing the details of the Congress legislature party meeting."
KPCC president Sunny Joseph announced that the Congress Legislature Party will hold a meeting at the KPCC headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram this evening.
"We extend all congratulations to V D Satheesan," he said adding that Congress leadership was headed to the Keralam capital this evening.
Earlier today, Congress leader Deepa Dasmunsi, addressing a press conference in the national capital said, "It has been decided to appoint VD Satheesan as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party"
Flanked by Jairam Ramesh and Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik, she said, "The Congress Legislature Party had met in Thiruvananthapuram on May 7th, 2026 and had unanimously resolved to authorise the Congress President to appoint the new leader of the CLP in the state of Keralam"
"Accordingly, the Congress President has held extensive discussions with the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the AICC Observers who had met with the newly elected MLAs on May 7, 2026 and many other leaders from the state, including MPs, former PCC Presidents have also been consulted,"
"Based on all these discussions, it has been decided that VD Satheesan be appointed as the leader of the CLP," Dasmunsi said.
Meanwhile, celebrations broke out at the residence of Satheesan in Ernakulam following the announcement.
Party workers erupted in joy, bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets outside the KPCC headquarters in Indira Bhawan in Thiruvananthapuram
Yesterday, the announcement of the chief ministerial candidate was widely anticipated following a crucial meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the latter's residence. However, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh told media persons that the decision on the chief ministerial nominee would be announced today.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)
