Overview
- Launching the drive in Thiruvananthapuram, the Union Home Minister formally kicked off the BJP’s Assembly push and addressed newly elected local body representatives.
- He unveiled a three-point pitch—developed Kerala, safe Kerala, protection of faith—and framed the civic win in the capital as a springboard to form a government, citing past vote-share gains to argue a path to 30–40% in 2026.
- Shah demanded that the Sabarimala gold theft investigation be handed to a neutral agency, alleging loopholes in the FIR and saying two ministers are under suspicion.
- He argued that only the NDA can ensure security in Kerala, asserting the LDF and UDF cannot counter groups such as the PFI and Jamaat-e-Islami.
- After a statewide vote-share dip to about 14.7% in local polls versus roughly 19.3% in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the party is tightening booth-level mobilisation, candidate selection and seat-sharing talks, with a Prime Ministerial visit being prepared.