Thiruvananthapuram is buzzing with political activity as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ramps up preparations for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. In a significant move, the state BJP leadership has shortlisted candidates for 35 constituencies, marking a crucial step in their electoral strategy.
The preliminary list, deliberated during a meeting of the state election committee, features three potential names per seat. This roster is now headed to the central leadership for final approval. While adjustments may still occur in certain areas, key figures are already deeply engaged at the grassroots level, building momentum for the polls.
State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is set to contest from Nemom, a stronghold for the party in recent years. Union Minister V. Muraleedharan is likely to take on Kazhakkoottam, while former state chief K. Surendran has been slotted for Manjeswaram following internal deliberations.
Other prominent names emerging from the meeting include Shobha Surendran, MT Suresh, C. Krishnankutty, actor G. Krishnankutty, R. Srilekha, and Karmana Jayan. This diverse lineup reflects the party’s intent to blend experienced leaders with fresh faces.
The BJP’s electoral journey in Kerala has seen notable progress. In 2016, veteran O. Rajagopal secured the party’s sole Assembly win from Nemom. However, that seat flipped to CPI(M) in 2021, with Congress settling for third place. Despite this, the party’s vote share surged from 12.41% in 2021 to 19.24% in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, fueled by actor Suresh Gopi’s stunning victory in Thrissur.
Local body elections in December presented a mixed bag. The BJP made history by capturing the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation for the first time, but their statewide vote share dipped to 14.71%. Leadership remains cautious with formal announcements, aiming to synchronize with other poll-bound states.
As Kerala gears up for a fiercely contested election, the BJP’s calculated candidate selections signal their ambition to expand beyond traditional bastions and challenge the entrenched LDF-UDF dominance.