Kerala BJP Chief Dismisses Claims of Discontent Over Party revamp

Thiruvananthapura, Kerala:

BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has firmly rejected suggestions of unrest within the party following a recent leadership reshuffle, calling such reports “baseless and unfounded”. During the launch of a ward level campaign for upcoming local body elections, Chandrasekhar assured stakeholders and members that organisational unity remains intact.

Speaking to reporters in the state capital, the BJP in-charge for Kerala emphasised that the recent appointments were made with careful consideration. “There have been rumours of dissatisfaction over the appointments of district office bearers. These are false claims by individuals with vested interests,” he said. Chandrasekhar stated that all office bearer selections were made in accordance with party norms, overseen by independent committees.

The reshuffle, implemented ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit, saw the induction of R Sreelekha, Kerala’s first woman IPS officer, among others into leadership roles. This reorganisation was aimed at strengthening the BJP ahead of the forthcoming 2026 assembly elections and the upcoming local polls.

Despite occasional murmurs of unease, including reports of non participation by some senior leaders, Chandrasekhar maintained the changes were strategic and consensual. “While some might be unhappy, the overarching goal is to build a robust organisational structure. Discontent is being overblown,” he asserted, dismissing speculation that the reshuffle had sparked factionalism.

In November of last year, similar concerns arose after the BJP suffered heavy defeats in local by-elections, especially in Palakkad. At that time, multiple senior leaders stayed away from a key state level meeting, and calls were made for the removal of then-president K. Surendran. Surendran responded by accepting responsibility for the losses, but the central leadership, including then party in-charge Prakash Javadekar, backed him and dismissed the rumours as politically motivated.

At the current leadership meeting, Chandrasekhar said, “We conducted consultations with district units and senior members. If concerns had been raised, we would have addressed them.” He emphasised the reshuffle reflects a “bottom up” approach designed to energise districts and booths ahead of crucial electoral battles.

Critics, however, remain watchful. Some long serving state and district functionaries allegedly felt sidelined. One suggested the reshuffle lacked sufficient consultation. A few regional leaders voiced frustration over decisions made without adequate input.

Chandrasekhar, himself appointed in March 2025, urged party workers to stay united and focus on electoral preparation. “Our aim is clear: we must win local body wards and lay foundations for the 2026 assembly,” he added. The BJP last week outlined ambitious targets, including securing over 20,000 seats and capturing at least 25 per cent of vote share in local polls.

If the party achieves these goals, it would mark its strongest performance yet in the state. Chandrasekhar stressed that organisational coherence would be key to that pursuit. “We’ve built a leadership team that includes professionals and strong district level cadres. This is not a time for internal strife,” he affirmed.

Analysts note that the BJP in Kerala has often been perceived as a top down organisation, heavily influenced by central leadership. The induction of local stalwarts like R Sreelekha may signal recognition of the need to balance state level representation with national oversight.

For now, the party appears determined to close ranks. As it prepares for a high stakes round of elections, state leaders hope the reshuffle proves effective, not divisive. The coming weeks will test whether the unity chalked out by the central leadership can translate into stronger grassroots performance and electoral success. For now, the BJP’s message in Kerala is one of cohesion and a united front, with Chandrasekhar’s words serving as both reassurance and rallying cry.