CM-Designate Satheesan Dedicates CM Post to People of Kerala

Speaking to the media at his residence, Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, shortly after the AICC in Delhi announced his appointment, Satheeshan began by thanking AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and other top party leaders for selecting him. He expressed gratitude to the UDF workers and leadership, crediting them for his rise, and to the people of Kerala for giving them this responsibility. He noted that the people ended the LDF’s 10-year rule, bringing the UDF to power with 102 seats. Promising to fulfill their commitments, improve living standards, and usher in a new era, he described political work and public service as a duty to the people, adding that he feels there is something divine in the responsibility entrusted to them.

Satheeshan expressed his gratitude to AICC general secretary K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala for their valuable contributions to the UDF victory. “The entire effort was coordinated by K C Venugopal, who stayed in touch with us and took care of even the basic requirements. Campaign committee chairman and former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, who is also my leader, guided us throughout,” he said.

He also thanked AICC general secretary in charge Deepa Dasmunshi, the PCC president, and all the leaders of the UDF alliance partners.

“Kerala is going through a serious phase. There’s no time to waste; we must get down to business and build a team that can meet the expectations of all sections of society. One person alone cannot achieve this. A team will take on the responsibility of leading the state into a new era. I thank the people of Kerala from the bottom of my heart. I dedicate my chief ministership to the people,” he said.

Satheeshan said there was no delay in electing the CLP leader, noting that in other states the CM selection had taken several days. With many issues to consider, the leadership had to consult MPs, MLAs, senior leaders, and weigh all factors before making a decision. He pointed out that with the Congress party’s galaxy of leaders, choosing one person is always a challenge. He thanked Team UDF for standing united throughout the campaign and expressed gratitude to Indian Union Muslim League supremo Sadikali Shihab Thangal, P K Kunhalikutty, Kerala Congress (Joseph) chief P J Joseph, RSP leader Shibu Baby John, and CMP leader C P John. On staking claim to form the government, he said the next step would follow discussions with the Congress legislature party, senior leaders, and UDF alliance leaders. The CLP meeting would be held later in the day after the arrival of AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Deepadas Munshi, along with AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken.

Congress announced Satheesan as the Legislative Party leader of Kerala Congress on Thursday after more than a week of intense deliberations with Kerala party leader rushing back and forth to Delhi. With the announcement, Congress will proceed to form the government in the state, ending days of speculation as the top leaders tussled among themselves for the post. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala were the other leaders in the fray for state's top post. Satheesan served as the Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly before the UDF's decisive victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The alliance won 102 seats in the 140-member assembly. As the next Kerala CM is announced, the Congress Kerala Committee will meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today and stake claim to form the government. Also Read - Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Takes Oath as 23rd Governor of Kerala Advertisement Satheesan won the 2026 Kerala Assembly election from the Paravur constituency, securing his sixth consecutive term as an MLA. Satheesan secured 78,658 votes and defeated CPI candidate ET Taison Master by a margin of 20,600 votes. He has represented the Paravur constituency for 25 years, having first won the seat in 2001.As the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly since 2021, Satheesan emerged as a prominent face of the United Democratic Front (UDF) campaign against the ruling Left government. He has been a vocal critic of the state government on various political and governance issues. Also Read - 10-Year-Old Girl Dies, 18 Students Hurt in Kerala School Bus Accident Discover more City & Local Guides Movie review platform Entertainment reviews He also served as the Vice President of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee and succeeded Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala as the Leader of the Opposition after the 2021 Kerala Assembly election.Born in 1964 in Nettoor near Kochi, Satheesan is a lawyer by profession. He began his political journey through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and later became active in the Youth Congress.