Supporters, party workers flock to Kerala to attend VD Satheesan's swearing-in ceremony

Thiruvananthapuram: It was a festive mood in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday as the 21-member Cabinet of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) took over.

Thousands of party workers and supporters from across the state as well as adjacent parts of Tamil Nadu flocked to the state capital in the early hours of the day.

Many came in groups with vehicles decorated with party flags and pictures of leaders. As vehicles were not allowed beyond a point, they marched to the Central stadium behind the government secretariat, raising slogans.

Arrival of Congress top leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to the venue saw the excitement of the party workers skyrocketing.

Priyanka, who is a MP from Kerala, was in a traditional Kerala sari.

The events began with a recital of 'Vande Mataram' in full followed by the national anthem.

As Satheesan took oath from Governor Rajendra Arelkar, the excitement level of the party workers and supporters went beyond limits - almost reflecting the landslide victory that 'team UDF' received under Satheesan's leadership.

It even felt like a resounding message of the masses to the AICC leadership on the dais over the popularity that Satheesan is having - key criterion for his selection as the Chief Minister.

While Satheesan and 18 of his cabinet colleagues took the oath in the name of God, Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Shibu Baby John and Communist Marxist Party leader C P John made solemn affirmation.

After the swearing-in ceremony that extended for nearly 90 minutes, the entire cabinet went to the Lok Bhavan for a reception by the Governor.

Braving the heavy rains, party workers and supporters remained on the streets to greet the new ministers until they returned to the secretariat for the first cabinet meeting.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister D K Sivakumar, Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and BJP state president and MLA-elect Rajeev Chandrasekhar were among the other prominent personalities present at the swearing in ceremony.

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay, who couldn't turn up for the swearing-in, is likely to visit Satheesan in the coming days.

An elderly woman from Satheesan's constituency Paravur in Kochi even got an opportunity to enter the stage and talk to Rahul Gandhi. Identified as Ammalu Amma, the woman from a weak background, said that many of them were highly indebted to Satheesan for the support he extended while the region was flooded in 2018.

"Satheesan is my son and I am mother to him," said Ammalu who was held close by Satheesan.