Sun, 17 May 2026
Kerala News Updated May 17, 2026 · 13:36

Congress MP KC Venugopal Confirms Capable UDF Team Swearing-In

Congress MP KC Venugopal announced a capable UDF team will be sworn in on Monday, with the minister list submitted to the Kerala Governor. He stated that the election result proves people reject communal politics, criticizing Vellappally Natesan's provocative statements. Ramesh Chennithala is expected to join the cabinet as per the party high command's wish. CM-designate VD Satheeshan held a meeting to finalize the cabinet list ahead of the swearing-in.

"Capable UDF team will be sworn in": Congress MP KC Venugopal

Alappuzha, May 17

Ahead of the swearing-in scheduled to take place on Monday, Congress General Secretary and MP KC Venugopal on Sunday said that the Keralam verdict clearly showed that people in Kerala will not "accept attempts to stir up communalism".

The Congress veteran told reporters here that the list of ministers would be submitted to Kerala Governor this evening.

"This evening, the list of ministers will be handed over to the Governor. Ministers are not directly announced; that has always been the practice. A capable UDF team will take oath as ministers. The UDF will field a good team that moves forward in line with the expectations of the people of Keralam. The government will seriously consider the announced guarantees. There is no need for any concerns regarding that. The government is only going to be sworn in. Before that, Vellappally Natesan should have avoided making such provocative statements..."

He further said that the Ramesh Chennithala, a frontrunner for CM nominee, was understood to take on the ministerial role in the Cabinet as per the "wish" of the party high command.

"The election result itself is proof that people in Kerala will not accept attempts to stir up communalism. The repeated attacks against the Muslim League are intended to create social tension. The constituent parties of the UDF are not people who impose dominance over one another. Everyone will act with mutual respect. The Congress has its own methods and positions. The Muslim League will also have its own. But within the UDF system, it can move forward only in a way that respects everyone and is acceptable to all. It was the party's wish that Ramesh Chennithala be in the cabinet, and accordingly, he came. A cabinet with strong representation for Alappuzha is going to be formed. My role will be to stand with the government to reclaim everything that Alappuzha has lost."

Meanwhile, Keralam CM Designate VD Satheeshan, earlier today, held a meeting with the party leaders of the State unit ahead of the swearing-in scheduled to take place on Monday.

State President Sunny Joseph, United Democratic Front (UDF) convener Adoor Prakash were among those who were present at the meeting which took place inside the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office.

The meeting had been called to finalise the cabinet list.

— ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Venugopal is right - communal politics has no place in Kerala. The verdict is clear that people want harmony. But I worry about the UDF's internal conflicts. Chennithala being sidelined earlier was a mistake. Hope they learn and work unitedly for Keralam's progress.
M
Michael C
Interesting how Indian state politics works - the Congress high command still calls the shots on who becomes minister, even in Kerala. That's very different from Western systems. But Vellappally Natesan's statements were indeed provocative - good that Venugopal called him out.
R
Rohit P
All this talk of guarantees is fine, but what about the price rise? People voted for change but need to see tangible results. The UDF should start with free bus travel for women and reduce fuel prices. That said, I'm glad communal forces were rejected - we are a secular state.
K
Kavya N
Venugopal is a seasoned politician, but let's be honest - the UDF victory in Kerala was more about anti-incumbency against LDF than Congress's own performance. Still, if they can focus on job creation and education, they might prove themselves. Chennai'thala as minister is a good move. 😊
J
James A
Interesting to see the dynamics within Indian coalitions. The UDF seems to have managed its alliance better than many national parties. But the focus on Alappuzha is worrying - what about the rest of Kerala? Venugopal should balance regional interests with state needs.

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