BJP prepares list of probable candidates

T'puram: BJP is learnt to have prepared a list of probable candidates in at least 35 seats for the upcoming assembly election in Kerala. Accordingly, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar would contest from Nemom assembly segment. He had already announced this decision on Dec 2, 2025 in Thrissur.

Former Union minister V Muraleedharan would contest from Kazhakkoottam seat while former party state president K Surendran is likely to try his luck from Manjeshwar, where he had lost the contest by a slender margin of 89 votes in 2016. Former DGP R Sreelekha is the party's first choice for Vattiyoorkavu seat. The party leadership believes that Sreelekha would change her stand that she would not contest in the assembly election. She had recently won the election to Thiruvananthapuram corporation and had clarified that she has no plans to contest in assembly polls.


The election committee finalized the list of probable candidates at a meeting held in the state capital on Tuesday. There were three candidates each for most of the seats. However, the candidates in certain seats, including Nemom, Kazhakkoottam and Manjeshwar, are almost final. Sources said that the candidacy of Surendran from Manjeshwar was reportedly pushed by Union home minister Amit Shah.

Sobha Surendran was considered for multiple seats in the upcoming election. She may either contest from Kayamkulam or Palakkad. While M T Ramesh may contest from Kozhikode this time, C Krishnakumar is likely to fight from Malampuzha seat. BJP district president Karamana Jayan may contest from Thiruvananthapuram seat. Former state president P K Krishnadas will continue to contest from Kattakkada seat.

At the same time, Shone George may be pitted as BJP candidate in Pala while Anoop Antony may be fielded in Thiruvalla. Sandeep Vachaspati is being considered as the party candidate in Chengannur seat. M L Aswani and P Sudheer may contest from Kasargod and Attingal seats.

BJP may announce the list of candidates in two phases after more deliberations. The party has also asked probable candidates to strengthen their work in their respective assembly segments.