Kerala CM Satheesan sworn in: Telangana's Revanth Reddy leads Congress solidarity show
Synopsis
V.D. Satheesan's swearing-in as Kerala CM became a rare in-person Congress solidarity summit — with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, AICC President Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi all present in Thiruvananthapuram. Revanth Reddy used the occasion to publicly invoke the goal of Rahul Gandhi becoming Prime Minister, making the Kerala oath ceremony as much about national Congress politics as about state governance.
Key Takeaways
Satheesan was sworn in as Chief Minister of Kerala on 18 May in Thiruvananthapuram .
Revanth Reddy and Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Revanth Reddy met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi at the event.
Senior Congress leaders from Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh , and Karnataka also converged at the ceremony.
Revanth Reddy publicly expressed the Congress goal of Rahul Gandhi becoming Prime Minister of India .
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday, 18 May attended the swearing-in ceremony of V.D. Satheesan as the new Chief Minister of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram, extending congratulations and expressing confidence in the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government's ability to deliver growth and public welfare.
A Show of Congress Unity in Thiruvananthapuram
Revanth Reddy travelled to Thiruvananthapuram alongside Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to witness Satheesan and his Cabinet take oath. The Telangana CM wished Satheesan 'great success in leading Kerala towards greater prosperity and growth.' The gathering drew senior Congress figures from across the country, signalling a unified front for the party ahead of what leaders described as a larger national goal.
At the ceremony, Revanth Reddy met All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. 'I respectfully met the All India Congress Committee President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi, who attended the swearing-in ceremony of V.D. Satheesan as the Chief Minister of Kerala State,' Revanth Reddy posted on X.
Leaders Across States Converge at the Ceremony
The swearing-in functioned as an informal Congress conclave, with Revanth Reddy and Vikramarka also meeting Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. 'It felt like a reunion of friends, of colleagues, when we reached Keralam for the grand celebrations of the day,' Revanth Reddy wrote on X.
What the Telangana CM Said
Revanth Reddy used the occasion to articulate a broader political aspiration for the Congress. 'The hope, energy and enthusiasm is palpable in the air. The same energy will strengthen as we will all work together for our biggest common goal — for the day when our leader Rahul Gandhi ji will take oath as Prime Minister of India,' he wrote. The post underscored the party's intent to project the Kerala win as momentum for national ambitions.
Deputy CM Vikramarka's Message to Kerala
Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka called the occasion 'a historic day for Kerala' and conveyed 'heartiest' congratulations to Satheesan and the newly sworn-in cabinet ministers. 'As Keralam embarks on this new journey of growth, harmony, and public welfare, I am confident that the UDF government will deliver exemplary, people-centric governance,' Vikramarka posted on X. He noted his pride in attending alongside Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Revanth Reddy.
Significance of the Satheesan Swearing-In
Satheesan's elevation marks a new chapter for Kerala politics, with the UDF returning to power. The high-profile attendance of Congress leaders from multiple states reflects the party's effort to frame the Kerala result as a collective victory and a springboard for wider electoral consolidation. How the new government performs on governance and welfare delivery will be closely watched, both within Kerala and by the Congress high command.
Point of View
Not casual rhetoric. What is notable is the breadth of leaders present: multiple state CMs, the AICC president, and the LoP in one frame sends a signal of organisational cohesion that the party badly needs. Whether the Kerala win translates into momentum elsewhere depends entirely on whether the Satheesan government delivers — and whether the Congress can replicate the UDF's coalition discipline in larger, more contested states.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is V.D. Satheesan and why was he sworn in as Kerala CM?
V.D. Satheesan is a senior Congress leader who was sworn in as Chief Minister of Kerala on 18 May following the United Democratic Front's return to power in the state. He succeeds the previous government and now leads the new UDF cabinet in Thiruvananthapuram.
Why did Telangana CM Revanth Reddy attend the Kerala swearing-in?
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy attended to extend Congress solidarity and congratulate V.D. Satheesan on his elevation. He was accompanied by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and met top party leaders including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at the event.
Which other leaders attended Satheesan's swearing-in ceremony?
Among those present were AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, and Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.
What did Revanth Reddy post on X about the event?
Revanth Reddy posted that the gathering felt like 'a reunion of friends, of colleagues' and expressed that the shared energy would fuel the Congress goal of Rahul Gandhi taking oath as Prime Minister of India.
What did Deputy CM Vikramarka say about the new Kerala government?
Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka called it a historic day for Kerala and expressed confidence that the UDF government under Satheesan would deliver 'exemplary, people-centric governance' focused on growth, harmony, and public welfare.
