BJP Secures Historic Win in Nemom, Strengthening Its Position in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, May 4: In a politically significant outcome, the BJP has secured its second seat in Kerala, with Rajeev Chandrasekhar winning in Nemom. This victory bolsters the party’s gradual yet notable advancement in the state.

Chandrasekhar’s win follows the earlier success of B.B. Gopakumar in Chathanur, marking a rare moment of expansion for the BJP in Kerala’s traditionally bipolar political landscape.

This victory in Nemom is considered historic, as it brings the constituency back into the BJP’s fold after a gap. The party’s first success in this seat came in 2016 when veteran leader and former Union Minister O. Rajagopal recorded the party’s inaugural assembly win in the state.

However, in 2021, the BJP lost the Nemom seat to CPI(M) leader and current state education minister V. Shivan Kutty, making this recent result a significant turnaround.

Addressing the media at the BJP’s state headquarters, Chandrasekhar stated that the outcome defied the expectations of both CPI(M) and Congress, who believed the BJP would struggle to open its account.

He remarked, “The people of Nemom and Chathanur have given us their mandate. This election was always going to be a decision against CPI(M).” He further noted that issues like the Sabarimala controversy played a crucial role in shaping voter sentiment.

Chandrasekhar also described this result as a rejection of the opposition ‘India’ bloc.

These dual victories are likely to energize BJP workers in Kerala. The party has often come close to winning but has struggled to convert its vote share into seats.

The results indicate a strengthening of support for the party in select constituencies, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on the Kazhakootam seat, where BJP leader and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan is locked in a tight contest, currently trailing by a narrow margin of just 299 votes as the counting reaches its final stages.

While the BJP’s overall presence remains limited, the wins in Nemom and Chathanur signal a potential shift in the party’s electoral trajectory, providing a solid foundation for future elections.

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S.C.H.