Newly elected MLAs sworn in for the 16th Kerala Assembly

Chief Minister VD Satheesan takes oath during the swearing-in ceremony in the Kerala Assembly on Thursday. | Photo credit: Nirmal Harindran

Newly elected legislators were formally sworn in as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the first session of the 16th Kerala Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday (May 21, 2026). President Pro Tem G. Sudhakaran oversaw the three-and-a-half hour long ceremony.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath to Mr. Sudhakaran on Wednesday. The remaining 139 members took the pledge on Thursday.

Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan greets Pro Tem Speaker G. Sudhakaran at a rally in Kerala after his swearing-in on Thursday. | Photo credit: Nirmal Harindran

Fisheries Minister VE Abdul Gafoor, representing Kalamassery constituency, was the first to take the oath as names were called in alphabetical order. Xavier Chittilapilly (Wadakkancherry) was last. Chief Minister VD Satheesan was the 105th to take the oath. He swore an oath in the name of god. Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was the 133rd, solemnized his commitment.

Most of the members took the oath in Malayalam. Faisal Babu (Kozhikode South), Mani C. Kappan (Pala), Mathew Kuzhalnadan (Muvattupuzha), Ramesh Chennithala (Haripad), Sandeep Varier (Thrikkarippur), Shibu Baby John (Chavara) and Sunny Joseph (Peravoor) took oath in English. AKM Ashraf (Manjeswaram) took the oath in Kannada and F. Raja (Devikulam), in Tamil.

Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan greets BJP MLA and party state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar at rally | Photo credit: Nirmal Harindran

TK Govindan, who left the CPI(M) and won as a UDF-backed Independent, surprised everyone when he moved towards Mr Vijayan to shake hands with him before taking the oath.

The ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has a huge majority in the House with 102 of the 140 seats. The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has 35 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) three.

The House met at 9 a.m. for the solemn ceremony with the rendition of the national anthem.

Choice of speaker

The chairman will be elected on Friday (May 22, 2026). The Congress selected leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan for the post of Speaker and Shanimol Usman for the post of Deputy Speaker.

The BJP, which won three seats in the Kerala Assembly, will field its candidate, BB Gopakumar, in the election for the post of Speaker, state party president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said.

Five years ago in 2021, the swearing-in ceremony of the 15th Kerala Assembly was held under strict COVID-19 protocols. That’s when the seats in the House were rearranged to ensure physical distance.

Published – 21 May 2026 13:00 IST