Kerala Chief Minister – Congress on Thursday (May 14, 2026) V. D. Satheesan has been appointed the next Chief Minister of Kerala, ending days of suspense and speculation over the post after his leadership helped the UDF alliance return to power in the state.

Six-time MLA from Paravur, Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan, who turns 62 later this month, led the United Democratic Front (UDF) to a landslide victory in the 2026 assembly elections, with the alliance securing 102 seats in the 140-member assembly. The decision was announced at a press conference in New Delhi, attended by AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, the party’s central observers for Kerala – Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik – and Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh.

The three main contenders for the post of Chief Minister were Shri Satheesan, K. C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.

Here is a brief timeline of his political journey:.