VD Satheesan has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Kerala after the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 102 out of 140 seats in the recent assembly elections. Satheesan, who began his political journey in the early 1980s through the Kerala Students Union, faced challenges in gaining leadership positions within the party. His persistence paid off when he won the Paravur assembly seat in 2001, defeating the sitting Left MLA by over 7,000 votes. Despite being overlooked for a cabinet position in 2011, Satheesan's commitment to the party remained unwavering. In the lead-up to the elections, he worked to strengthen ties with minority communities and mend relationships with allies, which proved successful as the UDF won four out of five bypolls and a majority in local body elections. His leadership style, focusing on inclusivity and ideological clarity, resonated with party workers, leading to his selection as Chief Minister after a lengthy consultation process by the All-India Congress Committee (AICC).