The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced P. Shyam Raj as its candidate from the Mananthavady constituency in the upcoming elections. Shyam Raj is currently a state secretary of the BJP and from Mullaringat in Idukki. He is known for his active presence on social media and participation in television debates.
He began his public life through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and has been involved in activities among Scheduled Tribe communities since 2010. In 2016, Shyam Raj led protests against alleged irregularities and student issues at the Technological University. He also played a key role in a month-and-a-half-long strike held across 45 centres from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, raising concerns over issues in self-financing colleges.
He was also involved in protests related to incidents at RLV College of Music and Fine Arts in Tripunithura and the controversy surrounding appointments at Government Law College. Shyam Raj has held several positions in student and youth organisations, including ABVP State Joint Secretary and National Committee Member. He has also served as State Secretary and National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.
