Thiruvananthapuram: BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is poised to become the Kerala state president of the party, as he stands as the sole nominee for the post, party sources revealed. A formal announcement is expected following the party’s state council meeting on Monday, where BJP’s central observer Prahlad Joshi is likely to make the official declaration.
Chandrasekhar filed two sets of nomination papers at the BJP headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, accompanied by state president K Surendran, senior leaders Kummanam Rajasekharan, V Muraleedharan, PK Krishnadas, MT Ramesh, and Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian.
At 60, Chandrasekhar brings with him two decades of political experience. He has served as Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti. He also completed three terms as a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka and held the position of BJP’s national spokesperson. Currently, he is the vice-chairman of the NDA’s Kerala unit.
A well-known figure in Kerala politics, Chandrasekhar contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Thiruvananthapuram but lost to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor by a margin of 16,077 votes. Born to Keralite parents in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Chandrasekhar has familial roots in Thrissur and is the son-in-law of TPG Nambiar, founder of the BPL Group.
The leadership change comes as incumbent state president K Surendran completes his five-year term. Speculation had been rife about Surendran continuing in the role ahead of the upcoming local body elections and the 2026 Assembly polls, but he clarified in a recent interview that he had conveyed to the central leadership his lack of interest in continuing.
BJP leaders Shobha Surendran and MT Ramesh were also considered contenders for the post. However, Shobha Surendran welcomed Chandrasekhar’s likely appointment, saying his leadership qualities would strengthen the party. MT Ramesh echoed similar sentiments, praising his performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and expressing confidence in his ability to lead the party forward.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi described Chandrasekhar as a “catalyst” who could bolster the party’s organizational strength, adding that he would have the support of a strong team of Union Ministers and senior leaders.
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