The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Kerala): As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ramping up its campaign in Kerala, focusing on overcoming its previous electoral shortcomings. With a strategic emphasis on connecting with the minority Christian community, the party seeks to establish a stronger presence in a state where Muslims and Christians significantly influence the demographic and political landscape. This effort represents a challenge for the BJP, traditionally seen as a pro-Hindu party, to broaden its appeal across diverse voter segments.
In a calculated push to garner support, the BJP has attracted notable Christian leaders like Anil K Antony, offspring of Congress veteran A K Antony, and veteran politician P C George, to its ranks. The party is also capitalizing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Kerala, showcasing development initiatives aimed at addressing the state’s specific needs.
To enhance its chances in the forthcoming elections, the BJP has strategically nominated two Union Ministers, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and V Muraleedharan, along with celebrated actor-politician Suresh Gopi, as candidates. The campaign will pivot around “Modi’s guarantee,” highlighting the Prime Minister’s popularity and governance record.
Despite facing skepticism from the state’s dominant political factions, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), which doubt the BJP’s potential to secure any seats, the BJP remains optimistic. George Kurien, the BJP’s state general secretary, expressed confidence in the party’s prospects, emphasizing the disillusionment of Kerala’s electorate with both the UDF and LDF.
The BJP’s aim is not just to participate but to significantly penetrate Kerala’s political landscape, inspired by the Prime Minister’s ambition to win seats in double digits. The nomination of candidates like Gopi, Chandrasekhar, Muraleedharan, and Anil Antony is a testament to the party’s deliberate selection process, prioritizing those deemed most capable and fitting for the electoral battle in Kerala.
However, critics from the Congress and the CPI view the BJP’s strategy as a mix of desperation and gimmickry, arguing that the party’s reliance on personalities from outside traditional political realms will not sway Kerala’s politically astute electorate. They also point to the lack of substantial impact by the BJP’s Union Ministers in the state’s political dynamics in the past.
The discourse around the BJP’s campaign in Kerala underscores the complexities of state politics, where ideological commitment and voter loyalty play critical roles. As the BJP endeavors to make inroads, the upcoming elections will be a litmus test for its ability to navigate these challenges and reshape Kerala’s political contour.