Senior leader Kummanam Rajasekharan has been reintroduced into the electoral race by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in their second list of candidates for the Kerala Legislative Assembly election 2026. The move aims to address internal discontent and adjust the party’s strategy after concerns were raised over the exclusion of veterans like Rajasekharan from the initial list. Rajasekharan will now contest from Aranmula, a constituency near the Sabarimala Temple, known for his opposition to the entry of women of all ages into the shrine.
The new list of 39 candidates also includes CPI legislator C.C. Mukundan, who left the party and will now contest from the Nattika seat. Additionally, the list introduces new faces like cardiologist Dr. Prathap, fielded from Kollam, showcasing the BJP’s effort to diversify its candidate pool with professionals. Despite these adjustments, the BJP faces a challenging task in Kerala, where it currently holds no seats in the outgoing 140-member Assembly, except for Nemom, which it won in 2016.
State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is contesting from Nemom in a bid to regain a foothold, highlighting a significant battle for the party. Notably, key constituencies like Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram Central have been excluded from the latest list, indicating a cautious approach in sensitive areas. With a mix of experienced leaders and fresh contenders, the BJP is striving for a more strategic approach in Kerala, aiming to make electoral gains as the state gears up for voting on April 9.
