Senior Congress leader V. D. Satheesan has officially been announced as the new Chief Minister of Kerala after leading the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to a massive victory in the Kerala Assembly Election 2026.
V.D. Satheesan emerged as the face of the anti-LDF campaign and played a major role in ending the Left Democratic Front's 10-year rule in the state. Known for his aggressive speeches, strong opposition politics, and clean public image, Satheesan has now become one of the most influential Congress leaders in Kerala politics.
Who is VD Satheesan?
V. D. Satheesan is a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and one of Kerala's most prominent politicians. He has represented the Paravur Assembly constituency for several consecutive terms and served as the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly before becoming the CM face of the UDF alliance.
Satheesan built his political image around anti-corruption campaigns, governance issues, and strong criticism of the previous LDF government. Over the last five years, he emerged as one of the strongest opposition voices in Kerala politics.
VD Satheesan, Kerala New CM
After the Congress-led UDF secured a landslide victory in the Kerala Assembly Election 2026, the Congress high command selected VD Satheesan as the new Chief Minister of Kerala. His appointment ended days of suspense and internal discussions within the party over the CM face.
V.D. Satheesan's elevation is being seen as a reward for successfully leading the Congress campaign against the ruling LDF government and reconnecting the party with young and urban voters in Kerala.
Kerala CM Announcement
The Congress officially announced VD Satheesan as the Chief Ministerial choice after consultations with senior party leaders and newly elected MLAs. His name was finalised after discussions involving Congress central leadership in New Delhi.
Several senior leaders, including KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, were also considered for the post before the party eventually backed Satheesan.
VD Satheesan Oath Ceremony Date (Expected)
V. D. Satheesan is expected to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on May 15, 2026, following the Congress-led UDF's massive victory in the Kerala Assembly Election 2026. Reports suggest the swearing-in ceremony will likely be held in Thiruvananthapuram in the presence of senior Congress leaders, alliance partners, and newly elected MLAs.
The oath ceremony will officially mark the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to power in Kerala after ending the Left Democratic Front's 10-year rule in the state.
VD Satheesan Full Name
The full name of VD Satheesan is Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan. He is popularly known in Kerala politics and across India as VD Satheesan.
VD Satheesan Party
VD Satheesan is a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala.
He has been associated with Congress politics since his student days and gradually rose through the ranks of the party organisation before becoming one of the top leaders in the state.
VD Satheesan Constituency
VD Satheesan represents the Paravur Assembly constituency in Kerala's Ernakulam district. The constituency has remained a Congress stronghold under his leadership for more than two decades.
He won the Paravur seat for the sixth consecutive time in the Kerala Election 2026.
VD Satheesan Age
VD Satheesan was born on October 12, 1964. As of 2026, he is 61 years old.
VD Satheesan Education
- Schooling: Panangad High School, Kochi
- Undergraduate: Degree in Sociology from Sacred Heart College, Thevara
- Post-Graduation (Social Work): Post Graduate Diploma in Social Service (MSW) from Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi
- Law Degree (LL.B.): Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram
- Master of Laws (LL.M.): Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram
- Additional Information: He practised as a lawyer at the Kerala High Court for nearly 10 years before becoming a full-time politician.
VD Satheesan Net Worth
Publicly available election affidavits indicate that VD Satheesan possesses assets worth several crores, including immovable property, vehicles, and bank deposits. Here are the key details of V. D. Satheesan’s assets and liabilities based on his 2026 election affidavit:
- Total Assets: Approximately ₹6.69 crore (movable and immovable assets combined)
- Immovable Assets: Valued at around ₹2.42 crore, including land and residential property in Paravoor and Nettoor
- Movable Assets (Self): Around ₹53.82 lakh, including cash, bank deposits, and 35 grams of gold
- Spouse's Assets: Approximately ₹2.53 crore, including 1,128 grams of gold
- Liabilities: Total liabilities declared by the couple stand at nearly ₹41.45 lakh, including housing and vehicle loans.
VD Satheesan Wife
V. D. Satheesan is married to R. Lakshmi Priya. She has largely stayed away from active politics and public appearances despite Satheesan's prominent role in Kerala politics.
VD Satheesan Son
According to official Kerala Legislature records, V. D. Satheesan does not have a son. His family includes his wife, Smt. R. Lakshmi Priya and their daughter. No official public records mention a son.
VD Satheesan Religion
VD Satheesan follows Hinduism. He belongs to a Hindu family from Kerala.
VD Satheesan Daughter
V. D. Satheesan and his wife, Smt. R. Lakshmi Priya has one daughter named Unnimaya Satheesan. Unlike her father, Unnimaya has largely stayed away from active politics and public life.
VD Satheesan Father
VD Satheesan was born to Damodaran and Vilasini in Kerala's Ernakulam district. His father, Damodaran, played an important role in shaping his early upbringing and values. Satheesan has often spoken about his modest family background and middle-class upbringing during his political journey.
VD Satheesan Mother
VD Satheesan's mother is Vilasini. He has credited his family, especially his mother, for supporting his education and political career from a young age. Despite becoming one of Kerala's top Congress leaders, Satheesan has largely kept his family life away from the political spotlight.
VD Satheesan Political Career
- V. D. Satheesan started his political journey through student politics in the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Congress party.
- He later became active in the Youth Congress and gradually emerged as a prominent Congress leader in Kerala.
- Satheesan first entered the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2001 after winning from the Paravur constituency.
- He has represented the Paravur Assembly constituency multiple times and built a strong political base in Ernakulam district.
- He gained recognition for his aggressive speeches, anti-corruption campaigns, and strong criticism of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
- In 2021, he became the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
- During the Kerala Assembly Election 2026, he led the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) campaign against the ruling LDF alliance.
- Under his leadership, the UDF secured a massive victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly Election, ending the LDF's 10-year rule in the state.
- Following the election victory, the Congress officially announced VD Satheesan as the new Chief Minister of Kerala.
VD Satheesan Secured Votes in the Kerala Election 2026
In the Kerala Assembly Election 2026, VD Satheesan contested from the Paravur constituency as the Congress candidate.
He secured 78,658 votes and defeated CPI candidate E. T. Taison of the LDF alliance, who received 58,058 votes. Satheesan won the seat by a massive margin of 20,600 votes. BJP candidate Valsala Prasanna Kumar finished third in the constituency.
The Congress-led UDF alliance also secured a landslide victory across Kerala by winning 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, ending the LDF government's decade-long rule in the state.