Published Feb 25, 2026 | 1:07 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 25, 2026 | 2:34 PM
Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Synopsis: The BJP in Kerala kick-started its campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections. In an interview with South First, BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar spoke about the saffron party’s plans for the elections, the Kerala Story 2 trailer, and other political issues.
BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar formally launched the party’s Assembly election campaign in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, 22 February, by inaugurating a wall-writing drive at Indira Gandhi Junction in Thali under Booth No. 100 in the Kalady ward, marking the start of the BJP’s election activities in the state.
On Monday, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the NDA’s regional election office in Kochi.
Following the official launch of the 2026 Assembly election campaign, Chandrasekhar’s first public interaction was with the people of Munambam on Monday, who have completed 500 days of agitation in connection with the Waqf land dispute, where the BJP leadership has been consistently present from day one.
In an interview with South First, he spoke about the BJP’s plans for the Kerala Assembly elections, the Kerala Story 2 trailer, and other political issues.
Q: South First has been following the Munambam Waqf land dispute from day one. We understand that the issue is legally complex, politically sensitive, and has religious layers. What is your take on the issue, and why does the BJP have a special interest in it?
A: It is not at all complex; it is neither legally complex nor socially complex. It has been made complex — deliberately — by political leaders and parties who had no interest in solving the issues of the people. Rather, they wanted to play a game, a game of appeasement, a game catering to certain interests, which is the Waqf interest.
It is an extremely straightforward case.
Because, under the Constitution of this country, every person, every individual, has the right to own land. Nobody can take away land, and nobody can snatch away any land without first proving that they own it. Before the Waqf Act was amended, it had unilateral powers, which were ultra vires the Constitution, where they could walk in and point to a piece of land and say it belongs to them.
It was up to the person who owned the land to prove that it was not Waqf land. That is not how the law works, and that is not what the Constitution was designed for.
That is why the Modi government amended the Waqf Act; to ensure that people’s right to own property and land is protected. That includes the people of Munambam, who have been fighting for their rights for so long. Unfortunately, successive governments in the state were not really interested in protecting their rights.
Q: The Kerala Story 2 trailer has opened debates. We are in Kochi, which is very famous for its beef cuisines like vindaloo. As someone who grew up in Kerala, I never heard of an incident like Muslims forcing a Hindu girl to eat beef in Kerala. So, what is your take on the Kerala Story 2 trailer?
A: If somebody makes a movie, it is their right to make a movie. Everybody in India has the right under Article 19(2) to make movies — good, bad, ugly. As long as they don’t violate the law, as long as they don’t violate Article 19(2) of the Constitution, where the movie is defamatory, or it is creating prejudice, everybody is free to make a movie.
If you don’t like a movie, don’t watch it; if you like a movie, go watch it. If I like a movie, I go watch it; if I don’t like a movie, I will not watch it. Leave it like that, why create controversies?
Q: Seat-sharing talks are always tough for any political front. What about the NDA, especially now with the new partner, Twenty20?
A: There’s nothing difficult for us in seat-sharing because we are very transparent, we are very united, and we are focused on our common goal — creating a better future for Kerala.
There are no personal egos involved, no personal agendas — whether it’s Twenty20, BDJS (Bharath Dharma Jana Sena), or the BJP. We are all united in our singular quest for a brighter future for the children of Kerala, for every Malayali.
Whichever candidate is most winnable will contest in that seat.
Q: So, NDA has reached a conclusion in seat-sharing talks?
A: There is no conclusion. The conclusion happens only on the day of the election. Everything before that is subject to discussion and relooking, and things like that.
The process has already started, and I can assure you that before election day, we will have decided who the candidates are.
Q: BJP’s victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a very significant achievement. It was not an easy thing, not a small thing. But do you think the voting pattern will remain the same in the assembly elections as well?
A: Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a big signal to the rest of Kerala. It is the capital of Kerala, and the people of Thiruvananthapuram have signalled that they are ready to support the NDA. They are ready to support the NDA’s focus on good governance, and that is a message to the rest of Kerala.
Every Malayali wants a change from the same old controversial politics of the CPI(M) and Congress. I am very confident that in this election, the NDA will be given a huge mandate by the people because they want change and a brighter future.
Q: How many seats is the BJP expecting this time? Have any realistic surveys been conducted?
A: Every election, journalists ask this question, and my answer remains the same: We don’t make predictions.
What we focus on is sincerely reaching out to every citizen in the state, sharing our determination, vision, and commitment to serve. Ultimately, it is for the people of Kerala to decide how many seats we win.
But we are confident that we will be in a position to govern Kerala and take the state forward.
Q: Who will be the BJP’s chief minister candidate in Kerala? Will there be a prior announcement?
A: Our focus isn’t on who becomes chief minister or who becomes an MLA. Our joint vision is to transform the political culture in Kerala and bring development to every Malayalee. As long as that goal is achieved, who holds the chief minister’s post is not important.
Q: You’re always carrying a pencil in your pocket. Is there any secret or belief behind it?
A: No secret. If I lose a pencil, it’s not very expensive. (He replied with a smile.)
(Rajeev Chandrasekhar has been using a pencil for noting important things for over a decade — a rare habit for a politician. Opposition usually jokes that it’s because he likes to rewrite everything — even history.)
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
