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BJP Reclaims Nemom, Doubles Kerala Assembly Tally in Historic Breakthrough

The BJP has secured a landmark second seat in Kerala with Rajeev Chandrasekhar winning from Nemom, following B.B. Gopakumar's earlier victory in Chathanoor. Chandrasekhar's triumph is historic, reclaiming the constituency that first delivered the BJP's maiden Assembly win in 2016 under O. Rajagopal. The result is seen as an anti-CPI(M) verdict and a rejection of the Opposition INDIA bloc, with issues like the Sabarimala controversy influencing voter sentiment. These twin victories signal a shift in the BJP's electoral trajectory in Kerala, though its overall footprint remains limited.

Key Points: BJP Reclaims Nemom, Doubles Kerala Assembly Seats

  • BJP wins second seat in Kerala with Rajeev Chandrasekhar's victory in Nemom
  • B.B. Gopakumar earlier won Chathanoor, marking rare expansion
  • Nemom seat reclaimed after loss in 2021 to CPI(M)'s V. Sivankutty
  • Results signal consolidation in urban and semi-urban pockets
  • Tight contest ongoing in Kazhakootam with V. Muraleedharan trailing by 299 votes
2 min read

BJP reclaims Nemom; doubles tally in Kerala in landmark breakthrough

BJP wins Nemom and Chathanoor in Kerala, marking a historic breakthrough. Rajeev Chandrasekhar's victory signals a shift in the state's political landscape.

"People of Nemom and Chathanoor have given us the mandate. This election was always going to be an anti-CPI(M) verdict - Rajeev Chandrasekhar"

Thiruvananthapuram, May 4

In a result of considerable political significance, the BJP has secured a second seat in Kerala, with Rajeev Chandrasekhar winning from Nemom and reinforcing the party's incremental but notable gains in the state.

The victory follows B.B. Gopakumar's earlier win in Chathanoor, marking a rare moment of expansion for the BJP in Kerala's traditionally bipolar political landscape.

Chandrasekhar's triumph in Nemom is being viewed as historic, restoring the constituency to the BJP fold after a gap.

The seat had first delivered a breakthrough in 2016 when veteran leader and former Union Minister O. Rajagopal scripted the party's maiden Assembly win in the state.

However, the BJP lost Nemom in 2021 to CPI(M) leader and current State Education Minister V. Sivankutty, making the latest result a significant reversal.

Addressing the media at the BJP state headquarters, Chandrasekhar said the outcome defied predictions by both the CPI(M) and the Congress, which had maintained that the BJP would fail to open its account.

"People of Nemom and Chathanoor have given us the mandate. This election was always going to be an anti-CPI(M) verdict," he said, adding that issues such as the Sabarimala controversy played a role in shaping voter sentiment.

He also termed the result a rejection of the Opposition INDIA bloc.

The twin victories are likely to energise the BJP's cadre in Kerala, where the party has often come close but struggled to translate vote share into seats.

The results suggest a consolidation of support in select constituencies, particularly in urban and semi-urban pockets.

Meanwhile, attention remains on Kazhakootam, where BJP leader and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan is locked in a tight contest, trailing by a narrow margin of 299 votes as counting enters its final round.

While the BJP's overall footprint remains limited, the wins in Nemom and Chathanoor signal a shift in its electoral trajectory, offering the party a stronger platform to build on in future contests.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
This is a significant development. While I'm not a BJP supporter, you have to admit that breaking the binary in Kerala is no small feat. But let's not get carried away—two seats out of 140 is still a drop in the ocean. The real test will be in 2026.
V
Vikram M
As a Malayali, I'm worried about this trend. Sabarimala issue was used as a political tool to polarise people. Kerala has always prided itself on communal harmony, and this victory feels like a step backwards. Hope we don't lose our identity.
J
James A
Interesting to see this from abroad. Kerala has always been an outlier in Indian politics, but maybe the state is slowly aligning with national trends. Chandrasekhar's focus on technology and entrepreneurship could actually benefit the local economy.
S
Sneha F
The anti-incumbency against CPI(M) is real—people are frustrated with the lack of development and corruption. But replacing one party with another isn't a solution if the new one brings divisive politics. Let's see if BJP can actually deliver on jobs and infrastructure here.
R
Rohit L
Historic! 🏆 Finally, Kerala is waking up from the LDF-UDF duopoly. Rajeev Chandrasekhar is a breath of fresh air—young, dynamic, and connected. This is just the beginning. Wait for the next election, we'll see more seats.

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