Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: BJP bets big on Christian votes, names seven candidates from community in two lists
The Hindu
BJP fields seven Christian candidates in Kerala 2026 elections, aiming to win Christian votes through focused outreach and issue advocacy.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielding seven Christian candidates for the Kerala elections reflects the party’s gambit to woo the Christian community, traditionally supporters of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), in the State.
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According to Census 2011, Christians make up around 18.4% of Kerala’s population.
In its two candidate lists so far, the BJP has named Union Minister George Kurian from Kanjirappally, P. C. George from Poonjar, Anoop Antony Joseph from Thiruvalla, Shone George from Pala, Lijoy Paul from Mankada, Bijoy Thomas from Ollur, and M. J. Job from Alappuzha.
The BJP has been raising issues concerning the Christian community as part of its strategy, including extending support to the community in the Munambam land case involving a dispute between the Waqf Board and locals. The State BJP intervened constructively when two nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of trafficking without evidence. Interestingly, the party has steered clear of its marquee issues in northern India, the sale and consumption of beef and other dietary injunctions.
But will the candidatures and outreach programmes enable the party to overcome its Hindutva image in a State of diversity?
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