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BJP's Kerala Push Begins: Nitin Nabin Paints Lotus, Launches 90-Day Campaign

BJP national president Nitin Nabin formally launched the party's Kerala Assembly election campaign with a symbolic act, painting a lotus on a polling booth wall in Thrissur. During his visit, he chaired a core committee meeting, instructing leaders to focus on converting vote share into seats by targeting 30 specific constituencies. The campaign will foreground the Sabarimala gold theft case and the Modi government's development record while accusing both the LDF and UDF of undermining Sanatan Dharma. Nabin warned against factionalism and outlined a 90-day intensive campaign with early candidate finalisation.

Key Points: Nitin Nabin Launches BJP's Kerala Poll Campaign with Symbolic Gesture

  • Symbolic lotus painting launches campaign
  • Focus on 30 high-vote-share seats
  • Sabarimala case as key plank
  • Warning against internal factionalism
  • 90-day intensive roadmap
3 min read

Nitin Nabin paints lotus on the wall, signalling BJP's Kerala poll push

BJP chief Nitin Nabin paints lotus in Thrissur, signalling start of party's 90-day Kerala Assembly election push with focus on 30 key seats.

"the party must convert its growing vote share into Assembly seats - sources"

Thrissur, Feb 7

On his first visit to Kerala after taking charge as BJP national president, Nitin Nabin appears to have struck a chord with the state party leadership, packing symbolism and political messaging into a hectic two-day schedule that culminated in what was effectively the launch of the party's Assembly election campaign.

On Saturday, the second day of his visit, Nabin travelled to Kalady, the birthplace of the influential ninth-century philosopher Adi Shankara, where he offered prayers at the temple.

From there, the BJP chief moved swiftly into overt campaign mode.

At Ollurkkara in Thrissur district, he painted a lotus, the party's election symbol, on the wall of polling booth number 163.

Party leaders described the gesture as deliberate and symbolic, signalling the formal commencement of the BJP's ground-level campaign in Kerala.

Thrissur, where the party has been attempting to expand its electoral footprint, was carefully chosen to underline that intent.

In 2024, Thrissur gave a shocking win to the film star-turned politician, Suresh Gopi, who became the first Lok Sabha winner in Kerala from the BJP.

Nabin's Kerala visit has also been marked by intense organisational engagement.

On Friday, he chaired a closed-door meeting of the BJP state core committee at Kochi, attended by state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and leaders of NDA constituent parties.

Sources said the new national president conveyed a clear message: the party must convert its growing vote share into Assembly seats.

At the meeting, Nabin reportedly issued firm instructions to focus on 30 Assembly constituencies where the BJP had secured over 30 per cent vote share in the last Lok Sabha elections.

He underlined that consolidating around 10 per cent of swing voters, those not aligned with either the LDF or the UDF, could decisively tilt the outcome in these seats.

The BJP plans to foreground the Sabarimala gold theft case and what it projects as the development record of the Narendra Modi government as its principal campaign planks.

Nabin accused both the LDF and the UDF of working in tandem to undermine Sabarimala and Sanatan Dharma, asserting that voters would hold both fronts accountable.

He also made it clear that factionalism within the Kerala unit would not be tolerated and warned that the party would undertake a comprehensive organisational overhaul if it failed to emerge as a decisive force after the elections.

With a 90-day intensive campaign roadmap, early finalisation of candidates, and visible mobilisation on the ground, the BJP leadership believes the Kerala campaign has now formally begun-signalled, fittingly, by a lotus painted on a wall.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Finally some serious intent from the BJP in Kerala! The LDF and UDF have taken voters for granted for decades. A strong third force is needed for a healthy democracy. Focusing on 30 constituencies with a 30% vote share is a smart, data-driven strategy. The 90-day campaign plan sounds promising. Let's see if they can break the bipolar mold! 🙏
A
Arun Y
Starting the campaign at Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Shankara, sends a powerful message about protecting Sanatan Dharma. The Sabarimala issue is very close to the hearts of devotees here. If the BJP can effectively highlight how both fronts failed devotees, they might get that 10% swing they are talking about. The warning against factionalism is also crucial for unity.
P
Priyanka N
As a Keralite, I'm tired of the same old politics. The painting act feels a bit gimmicky, but if it signals a real, ground-level push with a clear development agenda, I'm willing to listen. Modi's development record is a strong point nationally, but they need to localize it for Kerala. What about our specific needs in healthcare, tourism, and IT?
M
Michael C
Interesting to watch from an outsider's perspective. The BJP's methodical approach – data, target seats, clear timeline – is very modern political campaigning. The symbolism of the lotus painted on the booth wall is a classic, strong visual for the base. Kerala politics is fascinating. Will be watching to see if this disciplined approach works against entrenched local parties.
K
Karthik V
The threat of

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