Thiruvananthapuram/IBNS: Six-time Congress MLA V. D. Satheesan on Monday took oath as the new Chief Minister of Kerala as the Congress-led United Democratic Front formed the government after a decade.

Satheesan was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of the state in a grand show of strength by the Indian National Congress.

He was administered the oath of office by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the presence of senior Congress leaders including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Council of Ministers sworn in

Satheesan was joined by his 20-member Council of Ministers during the oath-taking ceremony held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

In a smooth transition of power in the country's most literate state, outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from the Left Democratic Front was also present at the ceremony. Vijayan is expected to become the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, was also present on the dais in what many described as a display of mature political conduct.

Key portfolios likely to be allocated

According to sources as reported by India Today, Satheesan is expected to retain the Finance Ministry under his direct control.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is likely to be handed the Home portfolio, while the Revenue Ministry may go to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunny Joseph.

Among allies, the Indian Union Muslim League emerged as a major beneficiary, securing five ministerial berths in the new cabinet.

UDF registers landslide victory

The Congress-led UDF returned to power in Kerala after defeating the CPI(M)-led LDF, ending 10 years of Left rule in the state.

The UDF secured a massive mandate by winning 102 out of 140 Assembly seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 71.

The LDF was reduced to 35 seats, while the BJP-led NDA won three seats.

The Congress also emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly with 63 seats.