BJP's K Ranjith files nomination from Dharmadam constituency in Kannur
Kannur, March 23
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate K Ranjith on Monday filed his nomination from the Dharmadam constituency in Kannur district for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.
The nomination papers were submitted before District Registrar Sachin Krishnan at the Thalassery Registrar's Office, marking the formal entry of the BJP-led NDA into a key electoral contest.
Dharmadam holds political significance as it is currently represented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, making the constituency one of the most closely watched electoral battlegrounds in the state.
In a parallel development, the BJP has fielded Adv S Smitha from the Varkala constituency. A former CPM area committee member, Smitha, recently resigned from the party before joining the BJP, which has taken over the seat from its ally BDJS. Her candidature is being seen as part of the BJP's strategy to attract leaders from rival camps.
The BJP has also expanded its candidate list, announcing multiple names across constituencies. Notable candidates include Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom and V Muraleedharan from Kazhakoottam, along with former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan from Aranmula.
The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, as announced by the Election Commission of India, with counting scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current 140-member Assembly, also known as the Kerala Niyamasabha, ends on May 23.
Both the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led UDF are seeking to unseat the incumbent CPI(M)-led LDF government, which has been in power for nearly a decade, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral contest.
The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on March 15, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into place, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, which is also known as the Kerala Niyamasabha.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a Keralite, I welcome a strong opposition. The LDF has been in power for a long time. A credible challenge in Dharmadam will at least make the sitting MLA work harder for the people. Healthy democracy needs this.
Interesting to see the BJP's strategy of fielding high-profile candidates and poaching leaders from other parties. But in Kerala, ideology and local issues often trump national party waves. It will be fascinating to watch.
With all due respect, I feel the media is over-hyping the BJP's chances. Kerala has a unique political culture. Simply putting up a candidate against the CM doesn't guarantee votes. People here vote on governance and local development, not just symbolism.
The candidate list looks strong on paper – former Governor, Union Minister, and now a direct fight with CM. But the real test is on the ground. BJP needs to focus on Kerala-specific issues like healthcare, education, and job creation for the youth.
Finally, a proper three-cornered contest in God's Own Country! For too long it's been LDF vs UDF. A strong third front will break this duopoly and give voters a real choice. All the best to all candidates. Let the best team win! 🙏
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