New Delhi: For the Kerala Assembly elections, the NDA has completed all preparations to field candidates across all 140 assembly constituencies in the state. This matter was the subject of extensive discussion during a meeting of the BJP’s Central Election Committee held on Thursday.
During the meeting, detailed presentations were given regarding every single seat in Kerala. Deliberations were also held regarding the names of potential candidates. The list of NDA candidates for each seat was thoroughly scrutinized—a list that included names of nominees from allied parties in addition to those from the BJP.
This time around, the BJP is entering the electoral fray in Kerala with its full might and vigor. This is precisely why the BJP, during the Central Election Committee meeting, discussed not only its own seats but also those of its allies; this exercise aims to help determine which party will contest which seat and where the chances of victory are strongest. The BJP’s key allies in Kerala include the ’20-20 Party’ and the ‘Bharatiya Jan Dharma Sena.’ Additionally, four or five smaller parties—whose influence is limited to specific pockets—are also part of the NDA coalition. Discussions regarding seat-sharing with these allied parties also took place during the meeting. Broadly speaking, the BJP is likely to contest approximately 100 seats, while the 20-20 Party may field candidates in 10 to 15 seats, and the Bharatiya Jan Dharma Sena in 25 to 30 seats. It is worth noting that in the previous election, the Bharatiya Jan Dharma Sena had contested 21 seats.
Party leaders believe that in Kerala, what matters most to the NDA is the *number* of seats it wins, rather than merely the number of seats it contests. Consequently, the party has decided to pour its full strength into every single seat this time around. In the previous Assembly elections, the BJP contested 115 seats but failed to win a single one. This time, however, the party has inducted several leaders who possess the personal influence and capability to secure electoral victories. This includes several ‘winnable’ leaders—some of whom have joined from the CPM and the Kerala Congress—who are likely to be awarded NDA tickets. No Chief Ministerial Face to be Declared
The NDA will contest the elections in Kerala this time without declaring a Chief Ministerial candidate. During the previous election, ‘Metro Man’ E. Sreedharan was projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate. This time, the NDA will center its campaign around Prime Minister Narendra Modi—specifically his name and his achievements. Development will be made the primary electoral issue. Campaign posters will feature images of Prime Minister Modi alongside State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Twenty20 Chief Sabu M. Jacob, and Bharathiya Jana Dharma Sena Chief T. Vellappally, thereby conveying a message of the alliance’s strength and unity.
According to sources, neither Jacob nor Vellappally will contest the elections themselves; instead, they will campaign extensively in support of the NDA candidates. Buoyed by Local Election Results: The BJP is significantly encouraged by the outcomes of the recent local body elections. The election of a BJP Mayor in Thiruvananthapuram for the first time has given a major boost to the party’s morale. The BJP is optimistic that, this time around, the NDA will emerge as the third major political force in Kerala and could play a decisive role in the event of a hung assembly. In recent times, the BJP has successfully expanded its outreach among Christian voters.
