Overview
- Satheesan, named on Thursday after a 10-day contest inside Congress, is set to be sworn in on Monday, May 18.
- Following its 102-seat win in the 140-member Assembly, the UDF opened talks on cabinet berths and portfolios with allies IUML, Kerala Congress and the RSP.
- Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, passed over for the top job, pledged support after early displeasure as party leaders discussed a formal role for him.
- Satheesan met outgoing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and said ongoing development projects would continue under the new government.
- He signaled austerity by asking police for a minimal convoy and declining a new official car, citing Kerala’s strained finances and a need to cut showy spending.