BJP releases third candidate list for Kerala Assembly elections, fields 11 candidates across South Kerala constituencies

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday announced its third list of candidates for the Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026, naming 11 candidates mostly from the southern districts of the state as the party races to complete its seat declarations ahead of the April 9 poll.

The party fielded Shri V. Ratheesh from Peerumade, Shri Raveendranath Vakathanam from Puthuppally, Shri K.R. Rajesh from Chavara, Shri R.S. Arun Raj from Chadayamangalam, Shri Karamana Jayan from Thiruvananthapuram, Shri Vivek Gopan from Aruvikkara, Shri T.N. Suresh from Kovalam, and Shri S. Rajasekharan Nair from Neyyattinkara. Three reserved seats also find their candidates Shri Ajimon (Mavelikkara SC), Shri Pandalam Prathapan (Adoor SC), and Shri B.S. Anoop (Chirayinkeezhu SC).



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With this, BJP's total declared candidates have crossed 97 across its first three lists. The party plans to contest around 100 seats, with NDA allies BDJS and Twenty20 filling the remaining 40.

Kerala goes to polls on April 9, with results on May 4. Over 2.69 crore voters will decide the fate of 140 assembly seats. A majority mark of 71 seats is needed to form the government.


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The BJP, campaigning under the slogan "Marathathu Ini Marum" (What never changed will now change), is banking on its southern Kerala strategy to finally make a dent in a state that has long resisted saffron inroads. PM Modi had flagged off the party's campaign from Kochi on March 11.