Raghunath can’t win in his own ward; Surendran responsible for defeat: N Sivarajan

PALAKKAD: The BJP in Kerala continues to face internal strife following its defeat in the Palakkad by-election, a constituency previously considered a stronghold for the party. National Council member N. Sivarajan has publicly criticized state president K. Surendran, Palakkad election in-charge Raghunath and the party's candidate Krishnakumar, rejecting the leadership's assessment of the loss.

Sivarajan squarely blamed Surendran for the debacle, dismissing efforts to shift responsibility onto the municipal councilors. “Surendran is responsible for the defeat. This should not be pinned on the councilors,” he said.

He also accused Raghunath, the election in-charge, of negligence, claiming that he failed to engage with the ground realities. “Raghunath stayed in an air-conditioned room throughout the campaign. There had been demands for his removal from the position six months ago. A Prabhari’s role is not to sleep in AC rooms,” Sivarajan remarked, adding that Raghunath’s own electoral credibility was questionable. He further criticized Krishnakumar’s campaign by saying, "The reason for the low turnout should be asked from Krishnakumar's wife". “Check my assets and compare them with Krishnakumar’s. I am not involved in the real estate business,” he stated.