Assembly elections: BJP with unexpected candidates to win four seats in Thiruvananthapuram 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP state leadership is planning to field the most popular leaders as candidates to capture the four constituencies in Thiruvananthapuram district in the upcoming assembly elections. The party is also preparing the stage for the local body elections with this goal in mind. The BJP is also preparing weapons for a very strong contest by scaring both fronts in about forty constituencies in Kerala.

BJP, which is trying to bloom its Lotus in many constituencies in Kerala, is giving its first priority to the Nemom constituency in the capital district. Reports suggest that the party may field its state president, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, to regain control of the Nemom constituency, where the BJP had opened its account but lost it. BJP firmly believes that Nemom can be won if it tries hard. The party centres firmly believe that Rajeev Chandrasekhar has the best chance of winning.

Padmaja Venugopal is likely to be the candidate in Vattiyoorkavu, where BJP has strong roots. This will depend on whether K Muraleedharan will be the UDF candidate. Party sources are indicating that if Muraleedharan is the UDF candidate, then it can be confirmed that Padmaja will be the BJP candidate. Thrissur may be given to Padmaja if Muraleedharan is not contesting the Vattiyoorkavu constituency. There is no clear answer to the question of who will be the BJP candidate in Vattiyoorkavu in that case. However, it is being heard that one of the young bloods of the party will be the candidate. VV Rajesh is being considered in Thiruvananthapuram Central.

Asserting that he is the BJP candidate in Kazhakoottam, former Union Minister V Muraleedharan has been busy with his activities for more than four months. He has been working at the grassroots level to secure votes and has been more or less successful in that. Party workers point out that it is because of Muraleedharan's excellent work that the BJP has been able to penetrate even the CPM strongholds in the constituency, at least to a small extent. However, Muraleedharan does not have the same hold in the state party as he used to. After Rajeev Chandrasekhar came, it is as if Muraleedharan and his associates have been almost sidelined. If Muraleedharan is not given a seat to contest, then there is a high possibility that state secretary S Suresh will be fielded there. Suresh is known to be a close confidant of Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

BJP is also considering fielding former state president K Surendran at the Varkala constituency. The party also believes that Surendran will win in the constituency where BDJS votes are crucial. BJP was able to increase its vote share in the last assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The party believes that it can blossom in the constituency if it fields a strong candidate. That is why the BJP is fielding Surendran. It is also being heard that Shobha Surendran may be fielded at Varkala. However, some party centres are indicating that Shobha is going to be given Puthukkad in Thrissur. BJP was leading in six assembly constituencies including Puthukkad when Suresh Gopi won from Thrissur in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Shobha is being fielded to maintain that lead and capture the constituency.

BJP is planning to field PC George in Poonjar, his son Shaun George in Pala, CK Padmanabhan in Kannur, PS Sreedharan Pillai in Chengannur, and PK Krishnadas in Kattakada.