The Congress-led alliance secured 102 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, ending a decade of Left rule and forming a 21-member coalition cabinet
Kerala: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) officially returned to power in Kerala on Monday after a decade in opposition, with senior Congress leader V. D. Satheesan taking oath as Chief Minister alongside 20 cabinet ministers.
The UDF registered a decisive victory in the April 2026 Assembly elections by winning 102 seats, comfortably defeating the Left Democratic Front and ending its 10-year tenure in the state.
The newly formed 21-member cabinet reflects the coalition’s power-sharing arrangement. Congress retained 11 ministerial positions in addition to the Chief Minister’s post, while the Indian Union Muslim League secured five berths. Other alliance partners shared the remaining positions.
The ministry includes senior leaders such as Ramesh Chennithala, along with 14 first-time ministers and three women members, signalling a mix of experience and generational change.
Rahul Gandhi congratulated the new government and said, “The people of Keralam fought for this government. Their voice will guide it.”
Rahul further praised K. C. Venugopal for leading the campaign “from the frontlines” and called the victory a result of the efforts of UDF workers and digital volunteers.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders questioned the cabinet’s minority representation, though UDF leaders defended the allocation as a reflection of coalition dynamics and electoral realities.
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