Chief Minister Nominee VD Satheesan with Congress leader and MLA Ramesh Chennithala after a meeting held at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Photo credit: Special arrangement
Amid intense speculation about the cabinet formation and portfolio allocation in the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government of Kerala, Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan on Saturday (May 16, 2026) said the full list of ministers would be handed over to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar by Sunday (May 17, 2026) evening.
Mr. Satheesan, who was busy on Saturday (May 16, 2026) meeting with senior Congress leaders and other UDF partners, said the entire Council of Ministers will take oath on Monday (May 18, 2026) at 10 am at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The state capital witnessed hectic meetings and negotiations throughout the day as the Congress-led UDF steered discussions to finalize ministerial berths ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on Monday (May 18, 2026). Rumors suggest that the chief minister is considering keeping the finance portfolio alone.
“A Real Congressman”
There is speculation that senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was reportedly unhappy at being passed over for the post of chief minister, will join the cabinet as home minister.
Mr Satheesan and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, who was also a CM aspirant, both met Mr Chennithala for conciliatory talks. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Chennithala limited his comments to one sentence: “I am always a true Congressman.”
Reports suggested that Mr. Chennithala had also demanded ministerial berths for Anwar Sadath and TJ Vinod. After meeting Mr. Venugopal, Mr. Satheesan said that decisions in the Congress and the UDF are taken democratically and in consultation with everyone.
Other Congress names doing the rounds on Saturday (May 16, 2026) included KPCC president Sunny Joseph, K. Muraleedharan, PC Vishnunadh, Chandy Oommen, M. Liju and Bindu Krishna.
UDF partners
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is reportedly in the running for five ministerial berths, the same number as the party held in the last Oommen Chandy-led UDF government from 2011 to 2016. Mr Satheesan held discussions with senior IUML leaders, after which IUML general secretary PK Kunhalikutty said only the UDF could make its decisions public.
IUML Parliamentary Party meeting is scheduled for Sunday (May 17, 2026) morning in Thiruvananthapuram, after which there will be more clarity about IUML ministers. Suggested names include Mr. Kunhalikutty and N. Shamsudeen.
Another UDF member, Kerala Congress (Joseph), is said to be demanding two cabinet seats, while CP John of the Communist Marxist Party is also reportedly being talked about as a possible contender.
Published – 16 May 2026 22:06 IST
