New Delhi, Mar 16: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its first list of 47 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Election 2026, fielding several prominent leaders as it seeks to expand its political presence in the southern state.
Among the key candidates, state BJP president and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar will contest from the Nemom Assembly constituency, while former Union minister V. Muraleedharan has been fielded from Kazhakkottam, where a three-cornered contest between the BJP, Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) is expected.
Senior BJP leader K. Surendran will contest from Manjeshwar, where the party is likely to face the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Another prominent leader, Shobha Surendran, has been nominated from Palakkad, where the main fight is expected between the BJP and the Indian National Congress.
The party has also fielded former IPS officer R. Sreelekha from Vattiyoorkavu, a constituency likely to witness a three-way contest involving the BJP, Congress and CPI(M).
Among other notable candidates, Navya Haridas — who had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Wayanad against Priyanka Gandhi Vadra — will contest the Assembly election from Kozhikode North. Meanwhile, Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of former Congress stalwart K. Karunakaran and sister of Congress leader K. Muraleedharan, has been fielded from Thrissur.
The announcement signals the BJP’s strategy to mount a stronger challenge in the state by deploying prominent leaders across key constituencies.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said it will contest 86 seats in the 140-member Assembly, renominating 56 sitting MLAs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will once again contest from Dharmadom constituency in Kannur district, while former health minister K. K. Shailaja has been fielded from Peravoor, shifting from her previous seat Mattannur.
According to the Election Commission of India, the Kerala Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
Kerala has a 140-member Legislative Assembly and is currently governed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
