Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is set to take on Congress' Shashi Tharoor who currently holds the seat.
BJP's candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, rode an open jeep amid loud cheer from BJP supporters and said he had come to the Kerala capital with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (X)
The BJP began its election campaign in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, 4 March, with a bike rally and a roadshow by NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
The Union Minister was received by BJP state president K Surendran and former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan as he arrived from Bengaluru at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar rode in an open jeep, amid loud cheer from BJP supporters, and said he had come to the Kerala capital with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I am here today in Thiruvananthapuram after being honoured and privileged by PM Modi, who has transformed India in the last 10 years.
“In the next 45-60 days, we will initiate a debate on the development of Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram. We will focus on what has happened in the last 10 years and how we, the only party under PM Modi, can propel Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram forward,” Chandrasekhar told reporters.
He greeted voters from the open jeep as he travelled from the airport to Palayam.
VV Rajesh, Thiruvananthapuram district president of the BJP, accompanied him in the open vehicle.
In a separate development, a day after senior politician P C George, expressed his displeasure over the saffron party fielding Anil K Antony as the candidate from Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency, the latter visited him at his house and held discussions even as the BJP state chief censured George from expressing his views publicly.
George, who recently joined the BJP, had strongly expressed his displeasure on Sunday over the candidature of Anil from Pathanamthitta and said the move has scuttled the party’s chances to win the polls.
George had also attacked BDJS leader Thushar Vellappally and SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan, alleging that they had conspired to scuttle his chances to contest in Pathanamthitta.
However, BJP state chief K Surendran on Monday said George should use his words carefully.
After a brief meeting with George at his residence at Erattupetta here, Anil said the “fight” between them was a media creation and he came to seek the blessings of George, a senior politician.
“It was the media which claimed that there were issues between us. I was given a responsibility by the party. I will ensure that I will fulfill it. P C George has assured me all his support. I will be following his advice also,” Anil, son of the former Defence Minister and Congress stalwart AK Antony told the media.
George welcomed Anil and gave him sweets.
Anil told the media that he knew George from his childhood and was close with the family.
A visibly irritated George had yesterday claimed that he had better chances in Pathanamthitta as he has the support of the bishops and the Christian community, which has a substantial presence in the area.
Stating that Anil Antony has no experience and is a complete stranger to the constituency, George had said that “no one knows him and the BJP will have to go around and introduce him to the people.”
However, Surendran dismissed George’s statement and said Anil Antony is a well-known person and will win from the constituency.
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