From just seven states in 2014 to 17 in 2022, the BJP’s footprint has grown beyond traditional strongholds to conquer new forts like the Northeast. But breaking the Vindhya wall has been difficult so far. In this special series on the BJP’s penultimate pitch, News18 takes a look at the saffron party’s renewed push for electoral success in South India.
In Part 5 of the series, we assess the BJP’s strategy to establish itself as a serious electoral contender in Kerala, where there is still no concrete success due to the unique demographic challenges.
It was a sultry but sultry evening at Kerala’s beautiful Shankhumukham beach in Thiruvananthapuram, where Narendra Modi arrived to launch his 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign. like beautiful red Kerala As the sun began to disappear in the waves of the Arabian Sea, Modi stood up to cheers and addressed the venue to thunderous applause. He then announced that in the next few years, the Bharatiya Janata Party would be a “Third Front” – defeating the state’s major political bloc UDF and LDF.
eight years later, BJP The state still finds itself struggling in the electoral race of Kerala, despite the fact that the state has a majority (56 per cent) Hindu population. Among all the southern states, Kerala is seen as one of the most challenging states for the national party, senior BJP leaders told News18.
After two parliamentary and assembly elections, the BJP suffered in Kerala for three main reasons – lack of a strong mass leader, a weak voter base and the demographic challenges with the minority and majority communities divided between the UDF and the LDF. Potential support with potential. – Explain the state leaders of the party.
Needs a strong, mass leader, a face that people can connect with
The BJP believes that the party should get at least 35 per cent vote share to be a strong contender during the elections. Currently it is swinging between 16 to 20 percent.
“In states like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat etc where we are ruling, there is a need for a strong, mass leader, a face that people can connect with,” said a party leader.
The BJP’s concept of a “double engine government” has also found interest among voters in the coastal state. The party is seen as an alternative that has focused on better sanitation, drinking water, skill development, rural employment and new and innovative forms of governance. The leaders believe that the stand taken by the party during the Sabarimala issue also gave it a slight boost.
Senior Kerala BJP leaders acknowledge the fact that though they are gaining electoral footing in local body units, they are unable to break the hold of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) or United Democratic Front (UDF).
Last year, while addressing the BJP’s core committee in the state, PM Modi had said that he wanted the party to win at least 71 seats in the 140-member assembly – seventy more than its current strength.
We have a strong cadre base, but our vote bank is weak. The challenges we face in Kerala are unique
According to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), LDF-ruled Kerala has about three million workers in the state and the RSS has over 5,000 shakhas.
“We have a strong cadre base, but our vote bank is weak. The challenges we are facing in Kerala are quite unique. While the constituencies are divided between majority and minority communities, a large section of the Hindu community votes in favor of the Left. We need to get at least one community — the Muslims Or Christian—on our side. Only then can we win seats,” explains BJP national general secretary CT Ravi.
The central leadership of BJP is also looking for a strong mass leader for Kerala BJP. According to former BJP state president CK Padmanabhan, the party needs a “winnable combination”.
“Day by day we are getting stronger. The task is cut for the party. It is in gaining the support and trust of the minorities of the state which will be the smartest way to gain ground and make BJP a strong force, K Surendran, Kerala BJP chief said.
Our victories in the Christian-majority North-Eastern states clearly show that there is still time to be a favorable alternative for the Malayalees.
The BJP’s action plan to conquer Kerala includes popularizing a program called Akshayashree under the Sahakar Bharati programme. Sahakar Bharati, the BJP says, is a non-political NGO “to spread, purify and strengthen the cooperative movement”. Through this it is also promoting Gramin Samridhi Store, Hindustan Bank and Mahila Sale. RSS and BJP are using it to take forward the cooperative movement and use Self Help Groups (SHGs) to make political inroads.
“Our victories in the Christian-dominated north-eastern states clearly show that it is only a matter of time before a favorable alternative becomes for Malayalees. As a unit we are strong and confident of realizing PM Modi’s dream of more than 71 seats soon,” Surendran said.
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