V. D. Satheesan has reportedly been chosen by the Congress leadership as the next Chief Minister of Kerala after the Congress-led UDF secured a major victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Reports suggest the decision was finalised after multiple rounds of consultations between senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Kerala party leadership in New Delhi.
Satheesan emerged as one of the strongest contenders following his leadership role as Opposition Leader and his prominent campaign against the ruling LDF government over the past five years.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front won a decisive mandate in Kerala, returning to power after a decade in opposition and securing more than 100 seats in the 140-member Assembly.
The chief ministerial race had seen intense competition between leaders including KC Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala, and VD Satheesan, triggering strong reactions from party workers and supporters across the state.
Political observers say Satheesan’s appointment signals a generational shift within Kerala Congress leadership as the party prepares to form its first government in the state since 2016.
