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BJP Fields Ex-CPM Leader Smitha in Varkala for Kerala Polls

The BJP has fielded Adv S Smitha, a former CPM area committee member, as its candidate from the Varkala constituency for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. The elections are scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 9, 2026, with vote counting on May 4. The BJP has released multiple lists of candidates, including prominent figures like state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan. The polls feature a three-way contest between the incumbent LDF, the Congress-led UDF, and the BJP-led NDA.

Key Points: BJP Fields Adv Smitha in Varkala for Kerala Assembly Elections

  • Ex-CPM member joins BJP
  • Polls scheduled for April 9
  • BJP releases multiple candidate lists
  • Three-way contest with LDF and UDF
2 min read

Kerala Assembly polls: BJP fields Adv Smitha from Varkala seat

BJP nominates former CPM member Adv S Smitha for Varkala seat. Kerala polls set for April 9, with BJP releasing candidate lists against LDF and UDF.

"BJP has fielded Adv S Smitha, formerly a CPM area committee member, from the Varkala seat - Report"

Thiruvananthapuram, March 22

Bhartiya Janata Party has fielded Adv S Smitha, formerly a CPM area committee member, from the Varkala seat in the Kerala Assembly elections.

Smitha resigned from the CPM before joining the BJP, which took over the Varkala constituency from BDJS.

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.

Both the BJP-led NDA and Congress-led UDF seek to unseat the incumbent Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led LDF and gain control of the 140-member assembly. The LDF-led government has governed the state for around a decade.

A day earlier, the BJP declared 11 more candidates for the assembly elections in Kerala.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has named V Ratheesh for Peerumade, Raveendranath Bakathanam for Puthuppally, Ajimon for Mavelikkara, Pandalam Prathapan for Adoor, KR Rajesh for Chavara, RS Arjun Raj for Chadayanmangalam, BS Anoop for Chirayinkeezhu, Karamana Jayan for Thiruvananthapuram, Vivek Gopan for Aruvikkara, TN Suresh for Kovalam, and S Rajasekharan Nair for Neyyanttinkara assembly constituency.

In the second list of 39 candidates for the assembly elections in Kerala. BJP has fielded K Ranjith from Dharmadam against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan has been fielded from Aranmula. BJP has fielded Ashwini ML from Kasaragod, PR Sivasankar from Ernakulam, Vathsala Prasanna Kumar from Paravur, and Renu Suresh from Kongad.

BJP had released its first list of 47 candidates on March 19, fielding the party's state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom seat and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs of India, V Muraleedharan, from Kazhakoottam seat.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, some real competition in Kerala! The LDF has been in power for too long. A strong third front is healthy for democracy. All the best to Adv. Smitha and all the new candidates. Let the best ideas win! 🙏
R
Rahul R
Fielding a candidate against CM Pinarayi Vijayan in Dharmadam is a bold move by BJP. But honestly, in Kerala, it often feels like we are just choosing between two coalitions. Hope this election brings some fresh perspective on development.
A
Anjali F
The candidate lists from all parties are out. Now the real work begins for the EC with the Model Code of Conduct. Hope the focus stays on issues like infrastructure, healthcare, and jobs, not just on political defections and rhetoric.
K
Karthik V
As a Keralite, I have to say this: while a strong BJP is good nationally, their social policies often don't resonate here. Our priorities are different. The LDF and UDF need to step up their game instead of taking the voter for granted.
M
Michael C
Watching from abroad. Kerala's elections are always fascinating. The high literacy rate means informed debates. Hope the campaign is about the future of the state's economy and its youth.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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