NEW DELHI: Although the BJP appears not to have had an impressive performance in the Kerala civic electionsHowever, it has significantly improved its 2015 tally. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has maintained its number one position with the main opposition and led by Congress. United Democratic Front (UDF), slipping but still second in the recently concluded elections for village panchayats, district panchayats and municipal corporations.
Among the factors that helped the BJP improve its performance were the Sabarimala turmoil and inclusive politics: running 600 Christian and Muslim candidates for the first time and utilizing the services of their senior leaders from minority and state-owned communities.
Speaking to timesofindia.com, BJP spokesman Tom Vadakkan said a “solid foundation” has been laid for the party in Kerala’s upcoming assembly elections next year.
He said: “The green shoots (of the BJP) are visible in Kerala. There is a visibility of the transfer of minority votes to the BJP. According to the initial figures available, 10% of the Christian votes have been transferred to the party while the Muslim votes have been consolidated in favor of the LDF ”.
Vadakkan said that Congress he has been the biggest loser in these civic elections. “We have done better than last time. We hit a 1600 mark. Last time the figure was 1200. The BJP has made inroads into the traditional constituencies of senior Congressional leaders, such as former Defense Minister AK Antony, former Prime Minister Oommen Chandy, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala and Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha, MP Shashi Tharoor ”.
The Sabarimala controversy appears to have helped the BJP. She is ahead of the rest in Pandalam, which was the epicenter of protests organized by the party along with other Hindu groups against the entry of women of menstruation age into the temple.
The protests followed the Supreme Court ruling that allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple.
Furthermore, in an unprecedented move, the BJP presented more than 600 Muslim and Christian candidates – 112 Muslims and 500 Christians – for the panchayat, municipal and corporate elections that took place on December 8, 10 and 14.
In addition, the BJP appointed three of its leaders from Kerala itself and all from minority communities: National Vice President AP Abdullakutty, a Muslim; and National Spokesperson Tom Vadakkan and Rajya Sabha MP KJ Alphons, both Christians, for campaigning in civic elections.
The move was to send the message that the BJP was reaching out to minorities and that it is an inclusive national party. He also sought to counter alleged propaganda from Congress and the Left parties that minorities will not support him, respect the sentiment of Muslim and Christian community leaders for contesting these elections, and broaden his base in the southern state facing assembly. election in the next six months.
The strategy appears to have partially paid off. The BJP is ahead in 23 gram panchayats and two municipalities. The ruling LDF appeared to sweep polls of local bodies in the state.
The Left Front led in 514 gram panchayats, five corporations and 11 district panchayats. The UDF ranked second, leading in more than 400 local organizations.
In 2015, LDF emerged as the most successful coalition to secure 549 gram panchayats, 90 block panchayats, 44 municipalities, and four corporations.
The LDF and UDF tied in the district panchayat, winning seven districts each.
The BJP-led coalition came in third with 14-gram panchayats and one municipality.
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