Who is VD Satheesan: After days of suspense, Congress leader VD Satheesan has finally been named Kerala Chief Minister following the UDF’s sweeping victory in the 2026 Assembly election. Once seen as a second-rung leader, Satheesan transformed himself into the face of the Congress comeback in Kerala through aggressive opposition politics, sharp public messaging and a campaign that directly challenged Pinarayi Vijayan’s decade-long rule.