V.D. Satheesan Sworn In as Kerala Chief Minister
Congress-led UDF returns to power; Rahul Gandhi and Kharge attend ceremony
- Congress leader V.D. Satheesan takes oath as Kerala CM
- UDF ministers sworn in at Thiruvananthapuram ceremony
- Congress secures 11 berths in new Cabinet
- Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge attend swearing-in
GG News Bureau
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 18th May: Senior Indian National Congress leader and United Democratic Front Legislature Party chief V. D. Satheesan on Monday took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala, leading the Congress-led UDF government back to power in the state.
Governor of Kerala administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan and members of his Cabinet at a ceremony held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi along with leaders of alliance partners and party workers.
The Congress party secured 11 ministerial berths in the new Cabinet.
Senior Congress leaders inducted into the ministry include Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K. Muraleedharan, A. P. Anil Kumar, P. C. Vishnunadh and T. Siddique among others.
Five legislators from the Indian Union Muslim League were also sworn in as ministers. They include P. K. Kunhalikutty, N. Shamsudeen, K. M. Shaji, P. K. Basheer and V. E. Abdul Gafoor.
Alliance partners also received representation in the Cabinet with Mons Joseph from Kerala Congress (Joseph), Shibu Baby John of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, Anoop Jacob from Kerala Congress (Jacob) and C. P. John taking oath as ministers.
Extensive security and administrative arrangements were made for the ceremony, which witnessed a large turnout of party workers and supporters.
The United Democratic Front returned to power in Kerala after defeating the Left Democratic Front in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
