Chief Minister-designate V. D. Satheesan with Senior Congress leader and MLA Ramesh Chennithala after a meeting held at the latter’s residence, in Thiruvananthapuram. Photo credit: Special arrangement
Amid intense speculation over Cabinet formation and portfolio allocation in Kerala’s new United Democratic Front (UDF) government, Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan indicated on Saturday (May 16, 2026) that the full list of Ministers will be handed over to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar by Sunday (May 17, 2026) evening.
Mr. Satheesan, who was busy holding talks with senior Congress leaders and other UDF partners on Saturday (May 16, 2026), said the full Council of Ministers would take the oath of office at 10 a.m. on Monday (May 18, 2026) at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The State capital witnessed hectic parleys and negotiations through the day, as the Congress-led UDF steered discussions to finalise the Ministerial berths ahead of Monday’s (May 18, 2026) swearing-in ceremony. Rumours suggest that the Chief Minister is considering holding on to the Finance portfolio himself.
‘True Congressman’
Speculation is rife that senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was reportedly disgruntled over being bypassed for the Chief Minister’s post, will join the Cabinet as Home Minister.
Mr. Satheesan and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, who had also been an aspirant for the CM’s post, both met Mr. Chennithala for conciliatory talks. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Chennithala restricted his comments to one sentence: “I’m always a true Congressman.”
Reports suggested that Mr. Chennithala had also demanded Ministerial berths for Anwar Sadath and T.J. Vinod. After his meeting with Mr. Venugopal, Mr. Satheesan said decisions in the Congress and the UDF are made democratically and in consultation with everyone.
Other names from the Congress that were doing the rounds on Saturday (May 16, 2026) included KPCC president Sunny Joseph, K. Muraleedharan, P.C. Vishnunadh, Chandy Oommen, M. Liju, and Bindu Krishna.
UDF partners
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is reportedly bidding for five ministerial berths, the same number the party held in the last UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy from 2011 to 2016. Mr. Satheesan held discussions with senior IUML leaders, after which IUML general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty said the UDF could disclose its decisions only after discussions with all the front partners are completed.
The IUML’s parliamentary party meet is scheduled for Sunday (May 17, 2026) morning in Thiruvananthapuram, after which there will be more clarity on the IUML ministers. Names being suggested include Mr. Kunhalikutty and N. Shamsudeen.
Another UDF member, the Kerala Congress (Joseph), is understood to be demanding two seats in the Cabinet, while the Communist Marxist Party’s C.P. John is also reportedly being discussed as a possible contender.
Published – May 16, 2026 10:06 pm IST
