Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (IANS) Fifteen years after the Congress last occupied the seat of power in Kerala under late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the state on Monday woke up to a politically charged morning filled with celebration, nostalgia and renewed expectations as the Congress-led UDF returns to power.

Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar will administer the oath of office to the entire cabinet at the Central Stadium.

At exactly 10 a.m., outgoing Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan will take oath as Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, formally ending the decade-long rule of CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan.

The swearing-in marks not merely a change of government, but the beginning of what Congress leaders are calling a new political era in Kerala.

From the crack of dawn itself, the state capital wore a festive look.

Roads leading to the venue were flooded with Congress workers and supporters clad in spotless white khadar, many carrying party flags, shouting slogans and exchanging sweets.

Vehicles from across Kerala streamed into the city as thousands made a beeline to witness the historic transition of power.

The mood within the Congress camp is one of triumph and vindication.

After years in the political wilderness and repeated electoral setbacks, the UDF scripted a spectacular comeback by winning a staggering 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, with the Congress alone bagging a record 63 seats, its best-ever tally in the state.

The ceremony itself is expected to be a grand political spectacle with top national leaders in attendance, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge.

Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh are also expected to attend, underlining the national significance the party has attached to the Kerala victory.

In a moment symbolic of Kerala’s shifting political landscape, outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too will be present at the ceremony, alongside State BJP president and newly elected legislator Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Along with Satheesan, 20 ministers representing various UDF allies will also take the oath one after another.

For the first time, the Congress has secured 12 Cabinet berths. State Congress president Sunny Joseph, aged 73, will be the senior-most member of the Cabinet, while Youth Congress leader O.K. Janeesh, aged 37, will be its youngest face.

The Indian Union Muslim League gets five Cabinet positions, while Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Jacob), CMP and RSP get one each.

Significantly, 14 members of the new ministry are first-time ministers, giving the Cabinet a distinctly fresh and youthful character.

Among the women ministers are first-timers K.A. Thulasi, wife of Congress MP V.K. Sreekandan, and Bindu Krishna.

As the oath-taking unfolds amid cheers, slogans and celebration, Kerala appears ready to turn a fresh political page.

–IANS

sg/dpb

Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (IANS) Fifteen years after the Congress last occupied the seat of power in Kerala under late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the state on Monday woke up to a politically charged morning filled with celebration, nostalgia and renewed expectations as the Congress-led UDF returns to power.

Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar will administer the oath of office to the entire cabinet at the Central Stadium.

At exactly 10 a.m., outgoing Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan will take oath as Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, formally ending the decade-long rule of CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan.

The swearing-in marks not merely a change of government, but the beginning of what Congress leaders are calling a new political era in Kerala.

From the crack of dawn itself, the state capital wore a festive look.

Roads leading to the venue were flooded with Congress workers and supporters clad in spotless white khadar, many carrying party flags, shouting slogans and exchanging sweets.

Vehicles from across Kerala streamed into the city as thousands made a beeline to witness the historic transition of power.

The mood within the Congress camp is one of triumph and vindication.

After years in the political wilderness and repeated electoral setbacks, the UDF scripted a spectacular comeback by winning a staggering 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, with the Congress alone bagging a record 63 seats, its best-ever tally in the state.

The ceremony itself is expected to be a grand political spectacle with top national leaders in attendance, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge.

Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh are also expected to attend, underlining the national significance the party has attached to the Kerala victory.

In a moment symbolic of Kerala’s shifting political landscape, outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too will be present at the ceremony, alongside State BJP president and newly elected legislator Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Along with Satheesan, 20 ministers representing various UDF allies will also take the oath one after another.

For the first time, the Congress has secured 12 Cabinet berths. State Congress president Sunny Joseph, aged 73, will be the senior-most member of the Cabinet, while Youth Congress leader O.K. Janeesh, aged 37, will be its youngest face.

The Indian Union Muslim League gets five Cabinet positions, while Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Jacob), CMP and RSP get one each.

Significantly, 14 members of the new ministry are first-time ministers, giving the Cabinet a distinctly fresh and youthful character.

Among the women ministers are first-timers K.A. Thulasi, wife of Congress MP V.K. Sreekandan, and Bindu Krishna.

As the oath-taking unfolds amid cheers, slogans and celebration, Kerala appears ready to turn a fresh political page.

–IANS

sg/dpb