Kerala Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan on Thursday, 14 May addressed the media in Thiruvananthapuram for the first time after being named the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala by the Congress high command, striking a deliberate tone of humility and collective ownership as he declared the United Democratic Front (UDF) landslide a victory of 'Team UDF' and lakhs of party workers — not any single leader.

Satheesan's First Remarks: Gratitude and Unity

Satheesan opened by thanking the party's top leadership for entrusting him with the state's highest executive office. 'The Congress has given me a huge responsibility, and I am deeply thankful to Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge and Rahul Gandhi,' he said. Describing the Chief Minister's post as a 'God-given responsibility', he pledged to 'rewrite the new order in public life' — a phrase that signalled both ambition and an awareness of the weight of public expectation.

Crediting the Campaign's Architects

In a pointed political gesture aimed at easing internal tensions following a bruising contest over the top post, Satheesan publicly credited Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and campaign committee chairman Ramesh Chennithala as the principal architects of the UDF's landslide. He went further, describing Chennithala as 'my leader' — a statement widely read as an olive branch to a key rival faction within the party. 'The main persons behind this victory are K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala. I will work together with them and also with state Congress President Sunny Joseph,' he said, signalling that the incoming administration would actively seek to consolidate all major power centres within the Congress.

Collective Governance and Public Challenges

Satheesan repeatedly returned to the theme of collective leadership, asserting that 'one person alone can do nothing' and promising to build a broad-based governing team. He acknowledged that Kerala faces 'huge challenges' and appealed directly to citizens for support. 'We are facing huge challenges. To build a new Kerala, I want the help and support of the people. We all will work towards it,' he said. He also committed to implementing every major assurance the UDF had made during the election campaign.

On the Delay in Announcing the CM-Designate

Seeking to address criticism over the prolonged suspense that had kept Kerala politics on edge for days, Satheesan defended the process, insisting there was 'nothing shameful' in the consultations that preceded the final decision. He noted that every legislator and senior leader had been consulted before the Congress high command arrived at its choice — a framing that positioned the delay as thoroughness rather than indecision. This is a notable departure from the swift announcements that followed previous UDF victories.

Cabinet and Swearing-In: Details Pending

On the specifics of cabinet composition and the swearing-in date, Satheesan indicated that decisions would be taken by the party leadership in consultation with alliance partners and coordinated with the Governor. No date has been confirmed as of Thursday evening. The formation of the cabinet is expected to involve negotiations with UDF constituent parties, adding another layer of complexity to the transition.