Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Not a good precedent for Governors to contest elections immediately after office, says Sreedharan Pillai

Sreedharan Pillai discusses the implications of Governors entering politics, BJP's prospects, and party dynamics ahead of Kerala's 2026 elections.

After serving as Governor of Mizoram and Goa, and with your tenure now over, do you plan to return to active or electoral politics soon?

I have not retired from politics and remain very active. However, despite pressure from the party and others to contest from the Chengannur Assembly constituency, I chose not to enter electoral politics this time. I believe it is not a good precedent for Governors to take up positions immediately after demitting office. Though I have a strong chance of winning from Chengannur—having secured 42,600 votes in 2016 and enjoying broad community support—I decided against contesting. The absence of a pension for Governors also means I prefer to remain independent rather than rely on the party.

Ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, while you were the Mizoram Governor, there were reports that you explored contesting from Chengannur. What actually transpired?

At that time, there was no such proposal and I was not willing either. I have never sought any post or position. The party has been kind enough to give me everything.

The Congress alleges a covert CPI(M)–BJP understanding for the upcoming polls, while the CPI(M) calls Congress a “feeder organisation” for the BJP in Kerala. How do you respond?

Both are making allegations of some kind of deal involving the BJP/NDA/RSS. The Chief Minister denies any understanding and claims that the CPI(M) has always treated the RSS as untouchable, but that is a Himalayan lie when viewed against past political realities. Can he deny the fact that RSS and BJP (then part of the Janata party) members worked for him in the 1977 elections? RSS pracharak K.G. Marar contested from Uduma in 1977, and his election committee convener was a CPI(M) area secretary. The UDF, too, has had instances of electoral cooperation with RSS/BJP-linked figures. O. Rajagopal, another RSS pracharak who contested from Kasaragod in 1980, was supported by the UDF and IUML leader Cherkalam Abdullah was his election committee convener. What we are witnessing now is a clear shift in strategy by both the LDF and the UDF. They have largely set aside their mutual accusations and are instead focusing their attacks on the BJP, reflecting their concern over its growing influence.