THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Most senior leaders of the BJP in the state will be in the fray for the Assembly elections in a bid to present a credible challenge to the two leading political fronts, the UDF and the LDF.
This was decided at the core committee meeting held in the presence of national president Amit Shah at Aluva Guest House on Thursday
Addressing the meeting, he urged the BJP leadership to woo various sections, including minorities, to ensure the party's victory in the elections.
BJP sources told DC that all senior leaders except P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, former state president, would contest the polls. Mr Pillai has expressed his desire to the RSS leadership to keep off the fray this time.
State president Kummanam Rajasekharan is likely to contest from Nemom, former state president V. Muraleedharan from Kazhakoottam, BJP general secretaries Sobha Surendran from Palakkad, M. T. Ramesh from Chengannur or Aranmula, A. N. Radhakrishnan from Thrippunithura or Changanassery and former state president P. K. Krishnadas from Kattakada or Thalassery.
Mr Shah wanted the cadres to make maximum use of the current political situation and reach out to all sections of people. After the Kerala Vimochana Yathra concludes here on February 11, the tie-up between BJP and Bharat Dharma Jana Sena will be finalised.
"Kummanam has been asked to seal the tie-up with BDJS. Discussions will be held with NSS leadership as well as with other minority communities. By the end of this month, the names of 40 poll candidates will be released," said a source.
Mr Nadda, union minister for health and family welfare, has been given charge of Kerala affairs. He will hold regular talks with state BJP leadership on the candidates.
