V.D. Satheesan faces his first major political challenge even before taking oath as Kerala's Chief Minister — bringing veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on board after a prolonged and contested leadership battle that left visible fault lines within the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The task is as much about managing wounded pride as it is about cabinet arithmetic.

Four Decades of Clout

Chennithala, who turns 70 later this month, has been a central figure in Kerala politics for over four decades. He has held virtually every significant position available to a Congress leader in the state — Youth Congress leader, state Congress president, Leader of the Opposition, and state Home Minister. His lone major electoral setback came during the 2004 Lok Sabha election, a rare stumble in an otherwise formidable political career. That depth of experience and organisational reach makes him a force no incoming chief minister can afford to sideline.

The Leadership Dispute and Its Fallout

The prolonged uncertainty over the Chief Minister's post had already exposed sharp undercurrents within the front. Though the party high command ultimately settled on Satheesan following days of consultations and negotiations in Delhi, sections within the party had reportedly rallied behind Chennithala. His reported displeasure over the final outcome became immediately apparent: he skipped the first meeting of newly elected legislators held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday night, left the state capital by noon, and was spotted in the early hours of Friday at the Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur.

Speaking at Guruvayur, Chennithala offered a carefully worded statement: 'The decision on who all should be in the cabinet is the prerogative of the CM. I wish him all the best and thank the party high command.' On returning home on Friday morning, he said he had nothing further to add.

Satheesan's Outreach

Satheesan is expected to visit Chennithala's residence and personally invite him to take up a key portfolio. A precedent exists: during Oommen Chandy's tenure from 2011 to 2016, Chennithala joined the cabinet as Home Minister after Chandy decided to hand him the portfolio. A similar gesture — offering a weighty portfolio with genuine authority — is widely seen as the most credible path to reconciliation.

The Larger Stakes for the UDF Government

Satheesan's immediate priority is to ensure the transition does not leave behind bitterness capable of weakening the government before it has even begun functioning. More than cabinet formation or portfolio allocation, the real balancing act lies in keeping Chennithala politically engaged, respected, and visibly accommodated within the new power structure. For the Congress leadership, the message is unambiguous: winning the election was only the first battle. Preserving unity among ambitious senior leaders may prove to be the harder task in the weeks ahead.