Thiruvananthapuram, March 22: A significant political shift has occurred in Kerala. Advocate Smita Sundarshan, a member of the CPI(M) Varkala area committee and former block panchayat member, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), strengthening the party’s position.
At a ceremony held in Thiruvananthapuram, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Kerala in-charge Prakash Javadekar formally welcomed Smita into the party. Immediately after joining, she was declared the NDA candidate for the Varkala assembly seat.
Previously, the Varkala seat was allocated to the NDA’s allied party, Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS). However, in light of Smita’s entry into the BJP and her strong influence in the Varkala region, BDJS has ceded this seat to the BJP. This decision reflects a strategic alignment within the NDA coalition, considering regional power dynamics.
Smita Sundarshan has previously served as the president of the Varkala block panchayat. She is the daughter of prominent CPI(M) leader Kallambalam Sundarshan, who has been a significant figure in the Varkala area for many years. Her move to the BJP is seen as a major setback for the CPI(M), given her family’s deep-rooted support in Varkala. Smita stated that she joined the BJP to focus on development, women’s empowerment, and the prosperity of Kerala. She expressed her disagreement with CPI(M) policies, claiming that the party has shifted its focus away from development issues.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar hailed Smita’s inclusion as a “new wave of change in Kerala.” He emphasized that her leadership will bolster the NDA’s position in Varkala. Prakash Javadekar also commended Smita’s courage, noting that the BJP’s base in Kerala is steadily expanding.
Historically, the CPI(M) has maintained a stronghold on the Varkala assembly seat. However, Smita’s entry raises the likelihood of a triangular contest. Given her support base and family political legacy, this seat has now become crucial for the BJP. Winning Varkala is a key objective in the NDA’s strategy, as it presents an opportunity to enhance the BJP’s presence in South Kerala.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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