Published Apr 02, 2026 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 02, 2026 | 8:00 AM
Padmaja Venugopal
Synopsis: Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, has joined the BJP after leaving the Congress, citing factionalism and lack of support, and is contesting the 9 April assembly polls from Thrissur. In a conversation with South First, she said her long-standing engagement with local communities, including Christians, would make her a formidable opponent. She also said the popularity and support of Suresh Gopi would boost her campaign.
Former Chief Minister and Congress stalwart K Karunakaran now has his political legacy divided between two parties: his son K Muraleedharan remains in the Congress while daughter Padmaja Venugopal has joined the BJP.
Padmaja’s switch to the saffron camp just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections came as a major setback for the Congress in Kerala.
In response, the party made a late strategic move by fielding her elder brother Muraleedharan in Thrissur, hoping to prevent the BJP from benefiting from the Karunakaran legacy.
However, actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi emerged victorious, while Muraleedharan finished third. The disruption of Thrissur Pooram, allegedly linked to a conspiracy and support from sections of the Christian community were seen as factors that worked in Gopi’s favour.
Now 65, Padmaja is seeking a fresh political innings as a BJP candidate.
She had contested from the Thrissur Assembly constituency in both 2016 and 2021 as a Congress nominee. In 2021 she lost by just 946 votes – a defeat she believes was caused by factionalism within the Congress unit in Thrissur.
In a conversation with South First, Padmaja says she switched to the BJP due to her disenchantment with the Congress, and argues that contesting for the party gives her a stronger chance in Thrissur.
Edited excerpts follow.
Q: In 2016 and 2021, you were the Congress candidate from Thrissur. This time, you are contesting as a BJP candidate. How does that change feel now?
People are accepting my decision now. They know how the Congress party treated me and how much I was disturbed. I lost the last election by just 946 votes. Suresh Gopi was also contesting in that assembly election.
But the Congress people betrayed me, and I was deeply hurt at that time. Then I realised there was a caucus in Congress, if we gave money to Congress local leaders they would support us- but I refused to do that.
That made me feel this was not my place, so I joined the BJP. Today, many women are telling me that I made the right choice and I feel truly happy about this change.
Q: During PM Modi’s campaign in Thrissur, you were with him on the open-jeep roadshow and called it a sweet revenge against Congress. What did you mean by that?
In the last assembly elections, when Priyanka Gandhi ji came to campaign in Thrissur, the Congress unit in Kerala didn’t allow me to join her roadshow. Former Congress MP Prathapan accompanied her and even he wasn’t very enthusiastic. I had expressed my wish to participate but it was denied which was very disheartening.
I spoke to the Thrissur DCC president about it and he told me I had to obey the party’s instructions. I accepted that.
In a constituency where I was contesting, I should have been alongside her yet others took precedence and I ended up at the fifth position. Kerala newspapers highlighted this, with captions celebrating, Prathapan IN, Padmaja OUT.
This time, when PM Modi came for a roadshow and I got to accompany him, it felt like the happiest day of my life. That’s why I described it as a ”sweet revenge.”
Q: Minority votes are expected to play a decisive role in the Thrissur assembly constituency. How do you assess the influence of Syrian Christian voters in shaping the outcome?
Over the past fifteen years, I have been deeply involved in politics and have worked closely with people from all walks of life. This long-standing engagement has allowed me to build strong relationships and a network of friends across communities, including a significant number of Christians.
Because of this familiarity and trust I have cultivated over the years, I do not assume that every Christian vote will automatically go to the Congress candidate, Rajan Pallan.
I am confident that I will be able to secure a substantial portion of the Christian vote. My connection with the community is based not merely on politics but on years of consistent interaction and mutual respect, which I believe will translate into meaningful support at the polls.
Q: Your brother, K Muraleedharan, is contesting from Vattiyoorkkavu as the Congress candidate, while former DGP R Sreelekha is fielded by the BJP. How do you view this high-stakes battle?
Sreelekha is my party’s candidate and I fully support her in Vattiyoorkkavu. In politics, brother-sister relationships remain personal matters, here my stand is clear- I back Sreelekha.
Q: Leader K Karunakaran’s long-standing association with the Guruvayur temple is well-known in Kerala’s political history. Recently, however the BJP candidate for Guruvayur stirred controversy by suggesting that the constituency must elect a Hindu MLA this time. How do you view such communally charged statements in a place like Guruvayur?
I prefer not to comment on that. The matter is currently before the court, so it’s best to let the judiciary decide if there was any wrongdoing in Gopalakrishnan’s statement.
Since it’s election time, I must remain silent on such issues.
Q: Thrissur has already elected BJP MP Suresh Gopi – do you think the constituency will also elect a BJP MLA this time? How is the Suresh Gopi factor playing out in Thrissur?
The response from the ground has been extremely encouraging, especially from women voters. Their warmth and affection have been overwhelming; they call me ‘Chechi’ (sister) and urge me to win, which gives me immense confidence.
I truly feel that women voters will be a key force in supporting me at the polls.
Equally significant is the impact of the Suresh Gopi factor. Suresh Gopi is deeply respected across many sections of society and his presence in the campaign has already created a strong positive wave.
He accompanies me in meetings and public events, interacting with people and sharing his influence and goodwill almost like a younger brother supporting a sister. This Suresh Gopi factor is a real game-changer; it not only energises the voters but also strengthens my credibility and visibility. I believe Suresh Gopi factor will work in my favour in Thrissur.
