Satheesan visits Vijayan ahead of Kerala CM swearing-in, shares green tea
Synopsis
In a moment that encapsulates Kerala's political reversal, CM-designate V.D. Satheesan drove to Pinarayi Vijayan's rented residence for green tea — two decade-long rivals now swapping the roles of Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition. The visit was equal parts protocol and political signal: Satheesan seeking cooperation, Vijayan offering a measured 'okay, okay'.
Key Takeaways
Satheesan visited outgoing CM Pinarayi Vijayan at his Thiruvananthapuram residence on Friday, 15 May .
The two leaders shared green tea in what observers described as a relaxed, cordial meeting despite years of political rivalry.
Satheesan invited Vijayan to the UDF swearing-in ceremony on Monday and sought his cooperation for Kerala's development.
Vijayan will become Leader of Opposition for the first time in his political career.
Satheesan's day also included calls on P.J.
Joseph , the family of G.
Karthikeyan , Adoor Prakash , and Ramesh Chennithala .
Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan on Friday, 15 May drove to the residence of outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram, in what became the most politically watched moment of the day — a courtesy call between two leaders who spent nearly a decade on opposite sides of Kerala's sharpest political battles.
A Symbolic Shift in Kerala's Power Corridors
For close to ten years, Vijayan held the state's top office while Satheesan led the Opposition from the Assembly benches, frequently clashing on governance, policy, and political accountability. The roles are now reversed: with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returning to power, Satheesan is set to assume charge as Chief Minister, while Vijayan prepares to occupy the post of Leader of Opposition — a first in his long political career.
The meeting at Vijayan's now rented residence drew considerable public attention, underscoring just how dramatically Kerala's political landscape has shifted.
What Happened at the Meeting
Satheesan was received at the door by Vijayan, his wife Kamala, daughter Veena, and other family members. The two leaders then sat down over a cup of green tea, with observers describing the interaction as relaxed and cordial — a notable contrast to the bitter exchanges that defined their years as political adversaries.
Emerging from the meeting, Satheesan was candid about his purpose. 'I came to see him as he is the senior most Kerala politician and was Chief Minister for a decade and led his party for long years. I came to seek support as we have to go together for developing Kerala. Governments are a continuing affair and hence everything will be done seeking cooperation. I also invited him for our swearing-in,' he told reporters.
Vijayan, characteristically guarded before the media, offered little by way of elaboration. Smiling faintly, he responded with an 'okay, okay' as he saw the incoming Chief Minister off.
A Day of Political Outreach
The visit to Vijayan's home was the centrepiece of a packed day of political courtesy calls by Satheesan. Earlier in the day, he met veteran Kerala Congress leader P.J. Joseph, who recently stepped aside to facilitate his son's electoral debut from Thodupuzha.
Satheesan also paid his respects to the family of late Congress stalwart G. Karthikeyan, meeting his wife and son — K.S. Sabarinathan, a two-time former legislator — at their residence. He subsequently called on Congress MP and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash.
The day concluded with a visit to senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, himself an aspirant for the Chief Minister's post, in a move widely read as an effort to consolidate factional unity ahead of the new government's assumption of office.
What Comes Next
The UDF government is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, with Satheesan at the helm. The new administration will inherit a state with significant fiscal pressures and pending infrastructure commitments from the outgoing Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Whether the spirit of the green-tea meeting translates into constructive legislative cooperation — or reverts to the adversarial norm — will be closely watched from day one.
Point of View
And Vijayan's 'okay, okay' was hardly a pledge of cooperation. The more telling detail is Satheesan's visit to Ramesh Chennithala — a rival within his own coalition. Managing internal UDF faultlines may prove harder than managing Vijayan across the aisle.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did V.D. Satheesan visit Pinarayi Vijayan before the swearing-in?
Satheesan visited Vijayan to pay respects to a senior politician, seek cooperation for governance, and personally invite him to the UDF swearing-in ceremony on Monday. He described governments as 'a continuing affair' and said development required working together.
When is V.D. Satheesan being sworn in as Kerala Chief Minister?
Satheesan is scheduled to be sworn in as Kerala Chief Minister on Monday, following the Congress-led UDF's return to power in the state.
What role will Pinarayi Vijayan play in the new Kerala Assembly?
Vijayan will serve as Leader of Opposition — a role he is taking on for the first time in his political career, having previously held the Chief Minister's post for nearly a decade.
Who else did Satheesan meet during his political outreach on 15 May?
Satheesan met Kerala Congress leader P.J. Joseph, the family of late Congress leader G. Karthikeyan, Congress MP and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala — all on the same day as his visit to Vijayan.
How did Pinarayi Vijayan respond to Satheesan's visit?
Vijayan received Satheesan warmly along with family members and shared green tea. He was characteristically brief before the media, responding to Satheesan's remarks with a faint smile and an 'okay, okay' as he saw him off.
