Thiruvananthapuram Corporation win could pave BJP’s way for bigger gains

T'puram: BJP may have missed the target set by Union home minister Amit Shah to increase its vote share in Kerala to 25%. However, the outcome of the local body elections, especially BJP's victory in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, comes as an unprecedented morale booster and a first-of-its-kind political opportunity for the saffron party in the state. While BJP's vote share dropped to 14.76% in the local body polls, the results have given the party more reasons to cheer. No wonder the BJP state and central leadership consider Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as a key to the state assembly, to which the election is due in 2026. The diligence with which the BJP central leadership intervened in the selection of mayor and deputy mayor candidates in the corporation indicates that the saffron party is not ready for any gamble. The decision to bank on a seasoned political hand like V V Rajesh to lead the corporation indicates that BJP wants to use the opportunity to showcase its development agenda before the people in Kerala. The local body poll results show that BJP is fast emerging as an urban political power, and that it could consistently beat the LDF and UDF in urban pockets. The dramatic improvement that BJP made in Kozhikode Corporation by winning 13 seats underscores the currency BJP is gaining in Kerala. While the total number of votes for BJP saw a slight dip, it emerged stronger with a high-density vote share in places where it has made its presence felt over the years. This pattern, if it gains more currency, may help BJP replicate IUML's success in the southern districts in the coming days. Such a development could benefit BJP more compared to the gain or loss in its overall vote share. Noticeably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the BJP's victory in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as a watershed moment. If BJP fulfils its promise for significant development in Thiruvananthapuram, it could certainly help the party make a significant surge by winning more than a couple of seats in the coming assembly election. Any lapses on the part of BJP in translating its promises into action could mar its prospects. BJP sealing 50 seats in the 101-member corporation council could be seen as a positive response from the city's folks towards the development politics proposed by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. If BJP walks the talk in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, it may start walking steadily in state politics.