Kerala’s Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan has invited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to his swearing-in ceremony on May 18, 2026. The invitation comes about a week after the Congress helped Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) form a coalition government in Tamil Nadu, and reflects the closer ties between the two parties after the recent assembly elections.
A strengthening alliance
In the Tamil Nadu election, the TVK finished 10 seats short of a majority, and support from the Congress along with the IUML and Left parties helped secure the Governor’s approval for government formation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended Vijay’s swearing-in in Chennai on May 10. With the Congress now set to lead a coalition in Kerala, Vijay’s presence at Satheesan’s ceremony would further underline that post-poll partnership.
The Thiruvananthapuram ceremony
The May 18 event is expected to draw a number of regional leaders, with an invitation also extended to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The full guest list is to be confirmed once arrangements are finalised. The ceremony is a milestone for Satheesan, who was named leader of the Congress Legislature Party on May 14.
One notable absentee will be Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who said on X that he will be in the United States to deliver a commencement address and attend a 50th-anniversary reunion at his alma mater, the Fletcher School at Tufts University.
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