Senior Congress Leader AK Antony Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala's New Chief Minister

Support for New Leadership in Kerala

On Thursday, senior Congress figure AK Antony expressed his support for VD Satheesan, who has been nominated for the position of Chief Minister of Kerala. Following a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Antony conveyed his confidence in Satheesan's leadership and shared his aspirations for the state's development trajectory.

In a conversation with the media, Antony wished Satheesan success and expressed hope that under his guidance, Kerala would emerge as one of the most developed states in South India in terms of growth and welfare initiatives.

Official Announcement of Satheesan's Appointment

Antony stated, "I wish him success. My hope is that during his tenure, he can elevate Kerala to be among the most developed states in South India regarding growth and welfare measures. I fully support the decision made by the Congress High Command, with blessings from Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi."

This endorsement came as the Congress party officially announced that VD Satheesan, who led the UDF coalition back to power in Kerala, would be appointed as Chief Minister. Satheesan, a six-time MLA from Peravoor, is set to turn 62 at the end of this month and played a pivotal role in leading the UDF to a significant victory in the 2026 assembly elections, where the coalition secured 102 out of 140 seats.

Satheesan's Vision for Kerala

After the election results were declared on May 4, Satheesan expressed heartfelt gratitude to his party and AICC leadership in his first response. He acknowledged the grassroots workers who stood by them during challenging times, stating that all AICC leaders had congratulated him via phone.

Moreover, he committed to initiating a new era and a new Kerala, focusing on transforming the state's economic landscape and addressing the debt crisis. Satheesan remarked, "Our goal is a new era, a new Kerala. We are going through tough times, and Kerala's financial situation is delicate, but we are hopeful for change."

Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal was seen leaving Rahul Gandhi's residence in New Delhi, while AICC Kerala in-charge Ajay Maken was also present at the party office. AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Deepa Dasmunshi, who are managing the post-election power transition in Kerala, met with Congress leadership at Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in the national capital.

Significant Role in UDF Campaign

VD Satheesan, a six-time MLA from Peravoor, played a crucial role in leading the UDF campaign during the 2026 Kerala assembly elections. Under his leadership, the coalition achieved a decisive mandate by winning 102 seats in the 140-member assembly.