Kerala politics LIVE: Congress-led UDF locked in last-minute consultations on govt. formation

Chief Minister-designate V. D. Satheesan with AICC General Secretary K. C. Venugopal aft a gathering astatine the latter's residence, successful Thiruvananthapuram connected May 16, 2026. | Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran

Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership appeared locked successful hectic last-minute consultations among each enactment factions and cardinal allies to finalise the contours of the Cabinet up of the government’s swearing-in connected Monday (May 18, 2026). The deadline for submitting the last database of ministers to Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar expires astatine 2 p.m.

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According to V.D. Satheesan’s office, the Chief Minister-designate was pushing for the inclusion of women, Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman, successful the Cabinet. He has reportedly expressed his penchant for younger legislators, including Chandy Oommen and V.T. Balaram, to articulation the government.

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A decennary aft losing power, the United Democratic Front (UDF) is acceptable to signifier the adjacent authorities successful Kerala, with Mr. Satheesan and his 21-member Cabinet taking instrumentality the oath of bureau connected Monday (May 18, 2026). KPCC sources said the Congress would clasp 11 portfolios, including the Speaker’s. They said the enactment was weighing elder person Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan for the post. 

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