V.D. Satheesan Gets Rock-Star Welcome After Being Named CM By Congress

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -After a gap of nearly 15 years, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters here witnessed scenes of political frenzy on May 14 afternoon as Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan arrived to a thunderous welcome from jubilant Congress workers and leaders.

The last time the state Congress headquarters had witnessed similar euphoric scenes was in 2011, when then Chief Minister-designate and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy arrived after leading the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to a narrow electoral victory that brought the party back to power.

However, the political atmosphere this time was markedly different.

While Chandy had assumed office in 2011 with a wafer-thin advantage of just two seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, Satheesan arrived at the party headquarters on May 14 backed by a commanding mandate of 102 seats, one of the biggest victories recorded by the Congress-led UDF in the state.

The scale of the victory was reflected in the mood outside the party office.

Long before Satheesan’s arrival around 2:30 p.m., hundreds of Congress workers, youth activists and supporters had gathered outside the headquarters waving party flags, shouting slogans and bursting crackers.

The main road leading to the office was packed with party workers eager to catch a glimpse of the leader set to become Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister.

As Satheesan’s vehicle entered the compound, the crowd surged forward in celebration.

Amid the cheering and pushing that followed, the Chief Minister-designate found it difficult to step out of the vehicle and was virtually lifted and carried by party workers towards the entrance of the building amid chants of “V.D., V.D.”

Congress leaders later exchanged sweets and congratulated each other amid applause, camera flashes and celebratory slogans as the party marked its return to power in Kerala after years in the opposition. (IANS)”