V.D. Satheesan, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Kerala from the Congress party, has reached out to fellow party leaders K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, recognizing their significant roles in the United Democratic Front's (UDF) recent electoral success. He referred to Chennithala as a 'close friend' and acknowledged Venugopal's 'immense contribution' to the party's victory. Satheesan explained that the selection process for the Chief Minister was complicated due to the presence of many qualified candidates, which necessitated extensive consultations within the party. He assured that while he would be consulted regarding ministerial appointments, the final decisions would rest with the Congress high command. Satheesan expressed his commitment to quickly forming the government and dedicated his leadership to the people of Kerala, promising a 'new era' of development. He also thanked key allies from the Indian Union Muslim League and the Kerala Congress for their support.