Padmaja Venugopal Set to Contest Elections as BJP Candidate in Thrissur

Thrissur, February 23: Padmaja Venugopal, 66, is preparing to contest elections for the fourth time. This marks her first attempt to run under a political party other than Congress.

Previously, Padmaja was a candidate for Congress three times. Now, she is fully ready to contest on a BJP ticket. This represents a significant shift in her political career, shaped by both her legacy and a series of electoral defeats.

Padmaja is the daughter of the late K. Karunakaran, a four-time Chief Minister who once dominated Kerala’s political landscape. He was one of the most influential Congress leaders in the state’s history.

During his political peak, Karunakaran successfully launched his son, K. Muraleedharan, into active politics, strengthening the family’s political standing within the Congress organization.

In his first electoral contest in 1989, Muraleedharan defeated CPI(M) stalwart Imbichi Baba, signaling the family’s ongoing political relevance and further enhancing the Karunakaran family’s influence in Kerala politics.

However, Padmaja’s political journey has been far more tumultuous and uncertain compared to her brother’s.

She faced defeat in her initial electoral contest in 2004, representing the Congress stronghold of Mukundapuram, marking a disappointing start to her political career.

As Karunakaran’s political influence waned and his health deteriorated, Padmaja’s political opportunities also diminished, limiting her chances of securing prominent electoral roles within the party.

In 2016, she attempted a comeback by contesting as a Congress candidate from the Thrissur constituency, but once again faced defeat.

In 2021, she was fielded again from Thrissur, reflecting the party’s continued faith in her capabilities for this crucial political seat. The contest was extremely close, with Padmaja losing by a mere 946 votes, making it one of the closest electoral outcomes in recent years for the region.

Months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Padmaja severed ties with Congress, citing unfair treatment and a lack of respect within the party, and formally joined the BJP.

Now, as indications suggest she may be allowed to contest again from the Thrissur constituency, the political dynamics in this area have shifted significantly compared to previous elections.