V.D. Satheesan Appointed Chief Minister of Kerala by Congress

The Indian National Congress announced that veteran lawyer V.D. Satheesan will become Kerala's 13th chief minister following extensive internal deliberations. Senior party leaders in Delhi, including Deepa Dasmunshi, Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, confirmed the decision after final talks with Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal. Satheesan, a 61‑year‑old former opposition leader and legislator from Paravur since 2001, has been praised for his debate skills and data‑driven approach. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor congratulated him on Twitter, emphasizing that the victory reflects the broader United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition rather than a single individual. Tharoor highlighted the need for the new administration to fulfill electoral promises and work collaboratively with coalition partners to deliver a progressive and prosperous Kerala.

Satheesan's appointment marks a shift away from long‑standing intra‑party factions and is seen as an effort to present a modern, media‑savvy image for the Congress in the state, aiming to challenge the incumbent Left Democratic Front government.