Kerala Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram on 14 May 2026 to formally stake the United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance's claim to form the next state government.
V.D. Satheesan, the Indian National Congress leader and United Democratic Front (UDF) face, is set to be sworn in as Kerala Chief Minister after the alliance secured a majority in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar received V.D. Satheesan at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on 14 May 2026, accepting the UDF's letter of support ahead of the government formation process.
The Indian National Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is set to return to power in Kerala after the 2026 state assembly elections, ending the Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s previous tenure in office.
V.D. Satheesan served as Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly during the previous LDF government and is now poised to become Chief Minister following the UDF's election victory in May 2026.
Following V.D. Satheesan's formal claim filed before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on 14 May 2026, a swearing-in ceremony for the new Kerala cabinet is expected to be scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram in the coming days.
With V.D. Satheesan having staked the UDF's claim before Governor Arlekar, Kerala now awaits the formal invitation to form the government and the announcement of the new cabinet — a significant political transition for the state as of 14 May 2026.