Kerala assembly election results: A roller-coaster day at BJP headquarters

The atmosphere at Mararji Bhavan, the BJP's state headquarters here, witnessed dramatic twists as the results poured in on Monday.

From early morning, party workers, leaders and supporters gathered inside the office premises, their eyes fixed on the giant TV screens. The initial trends offered a glimmer of hope. The NDA surged ahead in multiple constituencies, at one point leading in as many as five - Palakkad, Kasaragod, Chathannoor, Kazhakkoottam and Nemom.



Workers applauded whenever leads flashed in favour of BJP, especially from constituencies like Thiruvananthapuram Central and Thiruvalla. As counting progressed, leads fluctuated sharply. Seats that once appeared within reach began slipping away, dampening the early optimism. The mood inside Mararji Bhavan turned tense, and many workers quietly left.

Despite the uncertainty, a sense of anticipation lingered. Finally, the declaration of B B Gopakumar as winner from Chathannoor, marking a crucial breakthrough for the party, ignited the first wave of celebration. His victory, secured with a margin of more than 4,000 votes, gave BJP workers a much-needed boost after hours of fluctuating fortunes.

Interestingly, the crowd remained relatively calm about Rajeev Chandrasekhar, as his lead from Nemom was consistent throughout the day. When his victory was officially declared around 3pm, however, the mood shifted decisively. Workers poured out onto the street, bursting crackers, dancing and beating drums. The once-muted headquarters transformed into a carnival of saffron flags and slogans.

Yet, the biggest moment of the day was still to come.

The dramatic victory of V Muraleedharan in Kazhakkoottam, one of the most closely watched constituencies, sent shock waves through the gathering. In a nail-biting finish, he defeated incumbent Kadakampally Surendran by just 428 votes. The constituency had long been a key battleground reflecting BJP's gradual rise in Kerala politics.

As news of the win spread, atmosphere at Mararji Bhavan reached a crescendo. Firecrackers lit up the evening sky, and party workers erupted into jubilant celebrations. All leaders who were assembled in the office were seen exuberant after securing three seats from the one seat that was secured in the 2016 assembly polls.

Political observers note that BJP's improved performance, though limited in seats, signals a growing foothold in Kerala's bipolar political landscape.

Speaking to the media, Chandrasekhar described the outcome as an 'anti-CPM wave' and credited party's development-focused campaign. "I thank the people of Nemom. It is my duty to deliver development," he said, recalling the constituency's strong support for him in previous elections.
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