Party insiders say decisions are being carefully calibrated to strengthen the BJP's hold in pockets where it has already gained a base.
Published Aug 22, 2025 | 10:16 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2025 | 10:16 AM
Amit Shah's visit signals the BJPs intent to move early and aggressively in shaping the political narrative ahead of the polls.
Synopsis: The BJP in Kerala is gearing up for the local body and Assembly elections, both of which the BJP sees as critical opportunities to expand its presence in the state. Amit Shah’s visit, therefore, signals the BJP’s intent to move early and aggressively in shaping the political narrative ahead of the polls.
For the past several years, the BJP has maintained a consistent strategy in Kerala, beginning preparations for elections much earlier than its rivals. This time is no different. On Thursday, 21 August, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kochi on a two-day visit, setting the stage for the party’s organisational push ahead of crucial polls.
Shah attended the BJP’s state leadership meeting scheduled at the Renai Hotel, Palarivattom, on Thursday morning. The visit comes as the party gears up for the local body elections in November and the Assembly elections slated for next year, both of which the BJP sees as critical opportunities to expand its presence in the state.
The leadership meet is expected to focus on reviewing organisational strategies, strengthening the party machinery at the grassroots, and finalising candidate-related discussions. Shah is likely to hold detailed consultations with state leaders on campaign planning, booth management, and NDA coordination.
BJP state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, state in-charge Prakash Javadekar, co-in-charge Aparajita Sarangi, core committee members, district presidents, regional chiefs, Morcha leaders, and NDA allies will participate in the discussions.
The party leadership is framing this as a collective effort to position the BJP as a serious contender in Kerala politics, where it has traditionally struggled to break the dominance of the Left and Congress-led alliances.
Shah’s visit, therefore, signals the BJP’s intent to move early and aggressively in shaping the political narrative ahead of the polls.
Party insiders revealed to South First that the BJP has drawn up an ambitious plan for the upcoming local body elections in Kerala. The party is aiming to wrest control of two corporations, around 400 grama panchayats, and 25 municipalities.
A leadership meeting has already decided to intensify organisational work at the grassroots, with the RSS expected to oversee election-related efforts.
Party leaders think they have a good chance to win in the Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur corporations, and expect to come second in Kollam and Kozhikode. The BJP also plans to increase its presence in block and district panchayats.
The party will focus more on municipalities and panchayats where it lost by only a few votes in the last election. It has set a state-wide target of winning at least 15,000 wards.
To ensure better coordination, all local-level activities will be uploaded in real time through the party’s Saral app, enabling leadership to monitor progress instantly.
Compared to previous elections, leaders are placing greater emphasis on including names in the voters’ list, treating it as a priority task this time.
General Secretary MT Ramesh has been assigned overall responsibility for grama panchayats. At present, there are 21,900 wards spread across 1,200 local bodies in Kerala.
Following the completion of ward delimitation, the number will rise to 23,612.
”Vikasitha Keralam” (Developed Kerala) has been chosen as the party’s central slogan for both the local body and upcoming assembly elections.
Sources told South First that the BJP state leadership has initiated the first phase of its candidate selection process for the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala.
The party is concentrating mainly on the Thiruvananthapuram district, aiming to field its most popular leaders in an effort to secure the maximum number of seats among all 14 constituencies.
Party insiders say this strategy is also tied to the preparations for the local body polls, with the larger goal of creating a strong presence in at least 40 constituencies across the state.
Nemom, often referred to as the party’s Gujarat in Kerala and the only constituency the BJP has ever won in the state, by O Rajagopal, remains a top priority. The seat, currently held by the LDF’s V Sivankutty after the last Assembly elections, is likely to see a high-stakes contest.
Reports indicate that state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar may be fielded here, with party insiders confident he stands the best chance of winning it back.
In Vattiyoorkavu, the candidature of Padmaja Venugopal is under active discussion, though her chances depend on whether K Muraleedharan is the UDF nominee. If he contests there, Padmaja may be shifted to Thrissur instead, while Vattiyoorkavu could be assigned to one of the party’s younger leaders.
The scenario in Kazhakootam is more complex. Former Union minister V Muraleedharan has been working at the grassroots level in the constituency for months, winning praise from local cadres for his ability to break into CPM strongholds. Yet, with Chandrasekhar’s rise in the state unit, Muraleedharan’s clout has waned.
If he is denied the ticket, state secretary S Suresh, considered close to Rajeev, is likely to be the candidate. In Thiruvananthapuram Central, the party is leaning towards VV Rajesh, though G Krishnakumar’s name is also in the discussions.
Beyond the capital, the BJP is lining up some of its biggest names. K Surendran is being considered for Varkala, a constituency where the support of BDJS, ie, Ezhava votes, could be crucial.
Some leaders have hinted that Shobha Surendran’s name is being considered there as well, but strong indications suggest she is more likely to be fielded from Puthukkad in Thrissur district, where the BJP registered notable leads during Suresh Gopi’s Lok Sabha win.
Known for consistently boosting the party’s vote share in every election, her candidature is expected to play a decisive role.
In Thrissur city, MT Ramesh continues to be the party’s top priority, though sources indicate that Padmaja Venugopal may be moved there if she is not fielded in Vattiyoorkavu. Other names under consideration include PK Krishnadas for Kattakada, AN Radhakrishnan for Manalur, B Gopalakrishnan for Ollur, and Sandeep Vachaspathi for Ambalappuzha.
Senior leader Kummanam Rajasekharan is expected to be fielded from Aranmula, while PS Sreedharan Pillai’s name is being considered for Chengannur.
The BJP is also exploring alliances and banking on strong local faces. In this context, PC George is likely to be fielded from Poonjar, while his son Shone George may contest from Pala, as part of the party’s strategy to strengthen Christian representation.
In northern constituencies, CK Padmanabhan is under consideration in Kannur, Prashanth Shivan in Palakkad, C Krishnakumar in Malampuzha, ML Ashwini in Manjeshwaram, and Shanku T Das in Shornur.
Party insiders say these decisions are being carefully calibrated to strengthen the BJP’s hold in pockets where it has already gained a base.
With Chandrasekhar, Shobha Surendran, Muraleedharan, Surendran, and Rajasekharan all being lined up, the BJP wants to signal that it is ready for a high-voltage battle across Kerala.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
