The 2026 Kerala Assembly elections have marked a historic moment for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party has secured victories in three constituencies—Nemom, Kazhakkoottam, and Chathannoor—marking its best-ever performance in the state to date. This achievement comes as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has swept to power across Kerala.
Although the BJP remains far from forming the government, its gains signal a significant shift in a state where bipolar politics—dominated for decades by the UDF and the Left Democratic Front (LDF)—has long prevailed.
Nemom: Rajeev Chandrasekhar Delivers a Key Victory
In Nemom, senior BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar secured a significant victory. He defeated veteran CPI(M) leader V. Sivankutty by a margin of 3,590 votes. The Congress candidate, K.S. Sabarinathan, finished in third place.
Historically, Nemom has been the BJP’s strongest bastion in Kerala. It gained particular prominence in 2016 when O. Rajagopal won the seat—marking the party’s first-ever Assembly victory in the state. After losing the seat in 2021, the BJP had focused its full efforts on reclaiming it, making Chandrasekhar’s victory all the more significant.
Kazhakkoottam: Muraleedharan Wins a Close Contest
In a fiercely contested battle in Kazhakkoottam, V. Muraleedharan defeated the CPI(M)’s Kadakampally Surendran by a narrow margin of just 428 votes.
Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated, “The divisive politics of the INDI alliance will be defeated.” This seat had been held by Surendran since 2021; however, political attention was once again fixed on it during the 2026 elections, which witnessed an intense campaign. Consequently, the BJP secured a victory by a very narrow margin. This outcome demonstrates the party’s capability to put up a tough fight even in urban constituencies where the competition is typically fierce.
Chathannoor: A Major Triumph for the BJP in Kollam
The BJP also registered a stunning victory in Chathannoor. Here, B.B. Gopakumar defeated the CPI’s R. Rajendran by a margin of 4,398 votes. This constituency—which had been a CPI stronghold for the past 15 years—witnessed a political shift, despite the LDF fielding a new candidate. Gopakumar, who had come tantalizingly close to victory in previous elections, succeeded this time in translating his perseverance into a decisive win.
The BJP’s Strongest Performance to Date in Kerala
The BJP’s tally of three seats marks its best-ever performance in the Kerala Assembly elections, surpassing its previous record of one seat achieved in 2016. Although the party’s presence remains limited, these victories provide it with a strong foothold in key regions such as Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.
UDF Dominance, Yet a New Undercurrent Emerges
For the Congress-led UDF, the election results signify a resounding mandate and a return to power. However, the BJP’s gains highlight subtle shifts in voter behavior, signaling an emerging political undercurrent within the state.
While Kerala’s bipolar political structure remains largely intact, the BJP’s gradual progress could slowly reshape the electoral landscape in the years to come.