The Lotus Mission in Kerala: BJP Starts Candidate Talks as Amit Shah Reaches Kochi
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has kick-started its candidate selection process for the upcoming local body and Assembly elections in Kerala, with party president Amit Shah’s visit to Kochi signaling the party’s aggressive approach to expanding its presence in the state. The BJP sees both elections as critical opportunities to make significant inroads in Kerala, a state that has traditionally been dominated by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Shah’s visit to Kochi, a city in the southern part of the state, marks the beginning of the BJP’s intensified efforts to strengthen its organization and build a strong team of candidates for the elections. The party has been working tirelessly to expand its base in Kerala, where it has been struggling to make a significant impact despite its presence since the 1990s.
The local body elections in Kerala are scheduled to take place in 2020, while the Assembly elections are likely to be held in 2021. The BJP is looking to capitalize on the anti-incumbency sentiment against the LDF government, which has been in power since 2016, to make a stronger pitch to the voters. The party is also keen to cash in on the growing resentment against the UDF, which has been criticized for its lack of effective governance.
Shah’s visit to Kochi comes at a time when the BJP is facing stiff competition from the communist parties in Kerala. The LDF, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), has been a dominant force in the state since the 1990s, while the UDF, led by the Indian National Congress, has been a strong second. The BJP, however, has been making steady progress in the state, particularly in the southern region, where it has managed to win a few seats in the local body elections.
The BJP’s strategy in Kerala revolves around building a strong team of local leaders and ensuring that its candidates are well-entrenched in their respective constituencies. The party has been working to identify and groom local leaders who have a strong connect with the people and can effectively articulate the party’s message.
Shah’s visit to Kochi is seen as a significant development in this context. The party president is expected to hold a series of meetings with local leaders and workers, during which he will discuss the party’s strategy for the elections and provide guidance on candidate selection. The visit is also expected to give a boost to the party’s morale, which has been low in recent times due to its poor performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP has been facing criticism from various quarters over its performance in Kerala, with many questioning the party’s ability to win seats in the state. However, the party remains confident of its chances, given its growing popularity and the anti-incumbency sentiment against the LDF government.
The local body elections in Kerala are likely to be a significant test for the BJP, as they will provide an opportunity for the party to assess its strengths and weaknesses in the state. The party is keen to win a significant number of seats in the elections, which will help it to build a strong base in the state and lay the foundation for its future electoral campaigns.
In conclusion, Amit Shah’s visit to Kochi marks the beginning of the BJP’s intensified efforts to expand its presence in Kerala. The party’s candidate selection process is likely to be a closely-watched event in the coming weeks, as it seeks to build a strong team of local leaders and candidates. The BJP’s performance in the local body elections will be a significant indicator of its ability to make a mark in the state, and the party will be hoping to make a strong impact in the elections.
