LIVE! VD Satheesan set to meet Governor; Pinarayi is Oppn Leader

Greetings pour in for Satheesan after AICC names him Kerala CM

Congress leaders and newly elected MLAs on Thursday extended their greetings to V D Satheesan soon after the AICC announced him as the CM of Kerala.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph shared a photograph of Satheesan on Facebook and wrote, “Congratulations to V D Satheesan, the 24th chief minister of Kerala.” MP Shafi Parambil also congratulated Satheesan on being selected as the CM of Kerala.

In a Facebook post, Parambil, the KPCC working president, described Satheesan as the leader of the Congress-led UDF government and extended his wishes.

Congress leader and MLA V T Balram also congratulated Satheesan, saying the announcement reflected the will of the people.

In a Facebook post, Balram said the declaration was one Kerala had been waiting for and described it as the formal endorsement of a decision already made in the minds of the people.

“A truly democratic party can only take decisions by respecting public interest and cannot ignore the prevailing public sentiment,” he said.

Balram said Satheesan was assuming office amid an unprecedented wave of popular support rarely seen for a political leader.

He added that Satheesan’s elevation should not be viewed merely as that of a Congress or UDF CM, but as that of the CM of the people of Kerala.

Balram also called for united efforts going forward, stressing the need to fulfil promises, uphold expectations and work together towards a better future.

“We can do it, because this is Kerala,” he said, concluding his post by asserting that Satheesan is “our chief minister”.

Expelled Congress leader Rahul Mamkootathil also congratulated Satheesan.

In a Facebook post, Mamkootathil said the UDF’s victory was the result of years of political struggle and sacrifice by party workers.

He said that over the past 10 years, the opposition had been engaged in intense political battles, with thousands of workers taking to the streets against what he termed anti-people governance.

According to him, the efforts of these workers had now culminated in a people’s government, and the high command had entrusted Satheesan with the responsibility of leading it.

He expressed confidence that the new government would prioritise public welfare and work to realise the aspirations of the people, while extending his greetings to Satheesan.

Chandy Oommen, son of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the re-elected MLA from Puthuppally, also shared a photograph of Satheesan and extended his greetings.

Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who was re-elected as MLA from Muvattupuzha, said Kerala would see a new face and a new style of governance. “Greetings and congratulations to dear V D Satheesan,” he said.

Roji M John, who was re-elected as the MLA from Angamaly, also shared a Facebook post congratulating Satheesan.

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AIADMK tussle: Shanmugam-Velumani camp seeks disqualification of Palaniswami, others for 'defying' whip on trust vote

The AIADMK faction led by senior party leaders C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani on Thursday claimed that they had the majority MLAs on their side and accused party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and his supporting legislators of "defying" its whip regarding the floor test of the TVK government, and sought their disqualification.

C Vijayabaskar, 'whip' of the faction, told reporters that the legislature party is decided based on majority numbers and indicated that the Shanmugam-Velumani faction enjoyed that.

His instruction to vote in favour of the C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government during its confidence vote on Wednesday was duly communicated to all the AIADMK MLAs through WhatsApp and e-mail, he said.

"Of the 47 MLAs, 25 abided by the instruction. As many as 22 party MLAs, including Edappadi Palaniswami, did not comply with the instructions issued by me, who is the whip and went contrary to that. So we have met the Assembly Speaker today and sought their disqualification under the anti-defection law," he said.

"Majority of MLAs under Velumani followed the whip order. So only majority is valid," he said.

Velumani, citing precedents, said that when a split emerges in a party due to difference of opinion, no decisions can be taken; neither can someone be appointed or removed from party posts or the organisation.

"We are clear--(Palaniswami should) convene party General Council to discuss the reasons for the poll defeat. He is the general secretary," he said.

IUML welcomes Satheesan as Kerala CM, backs 'Team UDF' approach

IUML, the second-largest constituent in UDF, on Thursday welcomed the AICC decision to select V D Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala.

Speaking to reporters, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal congratulated Satheesan and said the party fully supports the Congress High Command's decision.

“The decision has come. Along with the people of Kerala, we also approve it. Satheesan will be able to deliver good governance,” he said.

He said the IUML would function as part of “Team UDF”, a concept highlighted by Satheesan during the recent Assembly elections.

“Satheesan has always spoken about Team UDF. It will be a Team UDF government,” he said.

Thangal also appreciated the AICC for following democratic procedures in selecting the Chief Minister.

“They even sought the opinion of allies. We were consulted more than once. Mallikarjun Kharge even called us today and we gave our opinion. It only took some time to complete the democratic process,” he said.

He said the mandate received in the Assembly elections formed the basis for the AICC’s decision.

Congress Legislative Party meeting at 4 PM today

The Congress Legislative Party meeting is scheduled to be held today at 4 PM in Hall 5E of the Legislative Assembly Annex building in Thiruvananthapuram. The meeting will officially elect VD Satheesan as the leader.

Meanwhile, a leadership meeting of the UDF will take place tomorrow (Friday) at 4 PM at Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram to decide upon the ministerial allocation.

Congress Kerala govt will be run by 'remote control' from Delhi: BJP

The BJP on Thursday took a swipe at the Congress over its decision to appoint V D Satheesan as the next Kerala chief minister, saying the move exposes "infighting" within the party and shows that it would be a "remote-controlled government".

The Congress has named Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of suspense and speculation over the matter.

The decision was announced in Delhi at a press conference by AICC in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi and the party's central observers for the state, Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik.

The three main contenders for the post of chief minister were Satheesan, K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.

In a post on X, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed that the Congress party's central leadership has imposed the decision on the state unit.

"It is clear that Kerala's chief ministerial face has been decided in New Delhi and not in Kerala. The announcement was made from the AICC headquarters in Delhi, which shows that this will be a remote-controlled 'sarkar' (government)," he said.

The BJP leader also claimed there was disagreement within the Gandhi family over the leadership choice in Kerala and alleged that Satheesan was selected due to "pressure from Priyanka Gandhi", who "did not want Rahul Gandhi's candidate K C Venugopal at any cost".

"Priyanka Vadra was dead against Rahul Gandhi's pick of K C Venugopal. In fact, there was a huge family fight over who will call the shots in Kerala," he alleged.

VD Satheesan on CM position: 'Not personal achievement, but something divine'

Kerala's new CM-designate VD Satheesan said, "I do not see this position as a personal achievement, but as something divine. It was KC Venugopal who coordinated all the activities of the AICC. His support was immense. Ramesh Chennithala is also my leader. I will take all of them into complete confidence. I seek the support of every section of people in Keralam. Only a collective effort can build a new Keralam. No one can do it alone; a team can achieve it."

"My party has entrusted me with a great responsibility. I thank Rahul Gandhi and others for that. Lakhs of UDF workers and leaders worked hard in this election. I am grateful to them for that," Satheesan added.

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Will rebuild Kerala, says CM-designate VD Satheesan

VD Satheesan, set to take over as Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister, struck a measured and inclusive tone as he addressed the media in Thiruvananthapuram, shortly after being chosen for the post.

With the formal swearing-in scheduled for Monday, Satheesan acknowledged the weight of the moment, describing the role as a “great responsibility” entrusted to him by the Congress leadership. He made it a point to thank the All India Congress Committee and party workers across Kerala, signalling continuity with the organisational backbone that powered the UDF’s victory.

In his first remarks as Chief Minister-designate, Satheesan reached beyond party lines, appealing for the Opposition's cooperation as well. Framing governance as a collective task in a politically and economically challenging environment, he stressed that “everyone must stand united” to address the issues facing the state.

He underscored the expectations riding on the new government, noting that the people of Kerala are looking at the United Democratic Front with hope. That trust, he suggested, was built on the way UDF constituents functioned cohesively during the campaign “like a single party" despite being a coalition.

On the question of cabinet formation, Satheesan made it clear that decisions would not be individual-driven. The party would take the lead, and ministers would be finalised through a collective process, indicating an attempt to balance internal equations while projecting unity.

Closing his remarks, he extended his thanks to the wider “Team UDF” and reiterated the central message of his transition moment: that rescuing and rebuilding Kerala would require a shared effort, with all stakeholders moving forward together as one team.

What is next? KC Venugopal answers after losing out to VDS in CM race

Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal on Thursday accepted the party's decision to select VD Satheesan as the chief minister of Kerala and congratulated him.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal, who was one of the three persons being considered for the post, said he will provide all support to the CM and the UDF government in Kerala.

He further said that he had right from the start made it clear that he would accept the Congress decision whatever it may be as the party is everything for him.

"So, that is my stand now. I humbly accept the party high command's decision and will work to implement it. I am a loyal Congressman. For me the party is everything. I don't want an image at the cost of the party. I want to die shrouded in the party flag. Will give all support to the government in Kerala," he said.

He refused to answer queries about whether he had been made any promises by the party for not being made the Kerala CM.

Venugopal also said that the party leadership took a decision based on several factors and after considering all aspects.

He further said that he was not scared by any personal attacks on him by anyone. He also asserted that there will be no issues in the party following the party high command decision.

The Congress general secretary also declined to respond to queries whether there was any pressure from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on the CM issue.