Kochi, June 23: Discussions have reignited regarding Kerala’s representation following the end of Union Minister George Kurien‘s Rajya Sabha term and the BJP’s decision not to re-nominate him for the upper house. The pressing question now is whether Kerala will receive a new representative in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet.
George Kurien submitted his resignation on Tuesday, which was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu. Sources indicate that Kurien may return to organizational responsibilities, expressing his desire to work for the party in Kerala.
However, the BJP has yet to clarify whether he will be assigned a national role or a position within the state organization. Kurien has been associated with the BJP since its formation in 1980 and was appointed as the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, as well as Minority Affairs, in June 2024 during Modi’s third term.
His appointment was noteworthy as he was not a member of either house of Parliament at the time. He was later sent to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh in August 2024, filling the seat vacated by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia upon his election to the Lok Sabha.
With the BJP not extending Kurien’s Rajya Sabha term, he becomes the fourth leader from Kerala to join the central cabinet without securing a second term. Previously, O. Rajagopal, K.J. Alphons, and V. Muraleedharan also reached Parliament via the Rajya Sabha and later served as central ministers.
Professionally a lawyer, Kurien has practiced in the Supreme Court and held several significant positions within the BJP, including state vice president, national executive member, core committee member, and party spokesperson. He also served as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to O. Rajagopal during his tenure as a central minister.
Despite his party affiliations, Kurien’s electoral journey in Kerala has not been successful. He contested several assembly elections, including a recent bid for the Kanjirappally seat, but did not win.
Currently, the only BJP minister from Kerala in the central government is actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who achieved a historic win from the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat.
Political circles are now keenly observing whether the BJP’s Rajya Sabha candidate, C. Sadanandan Master, will secure a position in the central cabinet or if Kerala’s representation will remain limited to just one minister in Modi’s cabinet.
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