Why Rahul Gandhi May Not Share The Stage With Satheesan At Kerala Cabinet Swearing-In

Last Updated:May 17, 2026, 20:54 IST

Strict protocols put in place for Kerala's UDF government swearing-in. Only Governor, VD Satheesan and ministers will be allowed on stage.

Strict protocols have been put in place for the swearing-in ceremony of the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala, ensuring that even senior Congress leaders attending the event, including Rahul Gandhi, will not be allowed on stage.

Lok Bhavan has directed that only the Governor, Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan and the ministers taking oath will be present on the dais during Monday’s ceremony at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. All other leaders and guests, irrespective of rank, will have to remain seated in the audience area, according to a report in Mathrubhumi.com.

Kharge, Rahul To Attend Oath-Taking Event

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are expected to attend the event. Chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, including Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, will also be present. However, none of them will share the stage due to strict protocols by Lok Bhavan.

Preparations for the ceremony are in the final stages, with workers completing the main stage and a massive pavilion at the Central Stadium. Authorities have expanded the venue capacity from an initial 12,000 to nearly 50,000 people in anticipation of heavy crowds following the UDF’s landslide victory in the Kerala Assembly elections, where the Congress-led alliance secured 102 of the 140 seats.

Large LED screens were being installed across the venue to help the public watch the ceremony live. Separate galleries and special pavilions have also been prepared for invited guests. Traffic restrictions will be imposed across parts of Thiruvananthapuram on Monday as thousands are expected to gather for Satheesan’s oath-taking ceremony, scheduled to begin at 10 am.

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