BJP's Kerala Conundrum: Will Rising Vote Share Finally Translate to Assembly Seats?

• BJP's vote share in Kerala has steadily increased from 4.7% in 2006 to 11.3% in the last election, despite significant opposition.
• Traditional LDF vote banks, particularly Ezhava and Nair communities, are shifting, with a significant portion moving towards the BJP, as seen in recent local body and Lok Sabha elections.
• The Sabarimala protests fundamentally altered the Kerala electorate, causing many traditional CPI(M) supporters to reconsider their allegiance due to the party's stance.
• BJP faces unique challenges like cross-voting, decoy candidates, and lack of support from community organizations and intelligentsia, but its digital presence is growing.
• With a new educated state president, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, and fading political untouchability, the BJP sees favorable conditions for converting its vote share into assembly seats.