New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) On attending the swearing-in ceremony of CM-designate V.D. Satheesan as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said the occasion marks a historic and celebratory moment for the state.

“All the Cabinet Ministers will take oath along with him, and the ministers from the LDF will also take oath. We are going to celebrate a grand occasion today. This is an unprecedented victory, with such a huge majority never seen there before. It is the first time such a large mandate has been achieved, and everyone is happy, which is why we are all going together,” Kharge said.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also described the moment as significant for the people of Kerala and said the verdict reflected a strong public mandate for change.

“Today is an auspicious day for the people of Kerala because after 10 years, the UDF is coming to power. The 10-year rule of LDF has been rejected by the people of Kerala. So it is our bounden duty to give good governance to the people of Kerala,” he said.

Preparations were done at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram as V.D. Satheesan is set to take oath as Chief Minister of Kerala. A large number of people have gathered at the venue ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Fifteen years after the Congress last occupied the seat of power in Kerala under late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the state woke up on Monday to a politically charged atmosphere 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. V.D. Satheesan will take oath as Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister, formally ending the decade-long rule of CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan.

The swearing-in marks not merely a change of government, but the Congress leaders describe it as the beginning of a new political era in Kerala.

From the early hours of the day, the state capital wore a festive look. Roads leading to the venue were packed with Congress workers and supporters dressed in white khadi, waving party flags, chanting slogans and distributing sweets.

Vehicles from across Kerala streamed into Thiruvananthapuram as thousands gathered to witness the historic transition of power. The mood within the Congress camp remained one of triumph and vindication after years of political setbacks.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) staged a strong comeback, winning 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, while the Congress alone secured a record 63 seats — its best-ever performance in the state.

–IANS

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