Kerala New CM announcement LIVE: VD Satheesan over KC Venugopal - 10 days later, Congress picks next Keralam CM

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: In his first reaction as his name was announced, VD Satheesan said, “I achieved this with the support of lakhs of Congress workers and team UDF. Congress has given me a huge responsibility, I thank party leadership for it.”

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: As the Congress leadership picked VD Satheesan over KC Venugopal as the Congress chief minister, the latter said, "Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi discussed about the situation and the decision making process. They called me and asked me my opinion and we all discussed that... I am thanking the MLAs, party workers, party functionaries for the support they have given to me. Finally, the party took a decision and as a sincere Congressman we are all behind the party decision."

"The final decision has come, and the Congress high command decided VD Satheesan as the Chief Ministerial candidate for Keralam Government. I am welcoming that decision wholeheartedly. I am congratulating VD Satheesan on this position. I think that people of Keralam have given a big verdict for the UDF. The government and the leadership of VD Satheesan can fulfil the aspirations and promises of the people of Keralam. Certainly, we are totally behind the government of Keralam."

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Satheesan, 62, was Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Kerala assembly. Born in 1964 in Nettoor near Kochi, Satheesan comes from a Congress is known as grassroots Congress leader. Trained as a lawyer and social worker, he entered politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) before steadily climbing the Congress ladder. Read here.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Congress leader Deepa Das Munshi said, "I am going to Keralam. Ajay ji and Mukul ji will also be travelling there. We will meet all the MLAs to finalise a lot of formalities. We all stand with the decision made by the party high command. Everyone will stand together with the party."

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Keralam Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph says ‘it is a very good decision’ as VD Satheesan is announced as Keralam CM.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: With the announcement, Congress will proceed to form the government in the state, ending days of speculation as the top leaders tussled among themselves for the post.

Satheesan will have to take appointment from Kerala Governor to stake claim to form the government. After this, the Governor will have to invite him to form the government and take oath of the office.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Celebrations begin at the residence of VD Satheesan as Congress names him the Chief Minister of Keralam. Watch video here:

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: “It has been decided to appoint V. D. Satheesan as the leader of the CLP,” said Congress leader Deepa Dasmunsi, during a press conference.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Congress has named VD Satheesan as the Chief Minister of Keralam.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held last-minute deliberations with top party leaders ahead of the announcement of the chief ministerial pick for Kerala.

Sources quotes by agncies said Mallikarjun Kharge held discussions with AICC general secretary in-charge for Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi and two senior observers – Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik – who had met all newly-elected legislators in the state.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Ahead of the Kerala Chief Minister name announcement, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal arrived at Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. He has left now as India awaits the announcement.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Congress workers supporting VD Satheesan, one of the names considered for the Kerala Chief Minister post, have gathered outside his residence.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: In the Kerala Assembly election result, Congress had won 63 seats and and Communist Party of India (Marxist) - CPI(M) won 26 constituencies. The Indian Union Muslim League - IUML won 22.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won only three seats in Kerala.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Three prominent names that are coming forward to take over the post include KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala.

Who will become the Kerala chief minister now? We will know shortly

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Congress will be holding its Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting to be held at 12 noon where the name of the legislative party leader will be announced.

The name of the Kerala chief minister is being announced 10 days after the results to Assembly election were declared.

Kerala CM announcement LIVE: Congress, in a briefing by Shri Ajay Maken, Shri Mukul Wasnik and Smt Deepa Dasmunshi at 12 noon, today, May 14, will announce the name of the Kerala Chief Minister-elect. The name of the Kerala new chief minister is being announced 10 days after the results were declared by the Election Commission. Stay tuned for LIVE Updates on Kerala CM announcement.