BJP's Kerala Moment: Lotus Blooms in Assembly & Parliament, Reshaping State Politics

• The BJP, once dismissed in Kerala, has seen significant breakthroughs with O. Rajagopal winning Nemom in 2016 and Suresh Gopi winning Thrissur in 2024.
• In the December 2025 local body elections, BJP won the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, an LDF stronghold for four decades, despite a marginal vote share decline.
• Amit Shah launched 'Mission 2026' for Assembly elections, focusing on 'Viksit Kerala' and criticizing UDF/LDF for communal appeasement and alleged gold theft at Sabarimala.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's shifting stance on Jamaat-e-Islami and the PFI's continued influence through SDPI highlight the complex political landscape.
• The LDF's attempts to rebrand as pro-Hindu after the Sabarimala protests and the Ezhava community's shift away from LDF indicate changing voter dynamics, potentially benefiting BJP under new leadership like Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Why It Matters: The BJP is making significant inroads in Kerala, challenging traditional political fronts and reshaping the state's future.